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TriTittd »<.lKBu))o: 



n I S T 11 Y 



SOUTH BOSTON; 



Dorchefter Neck^ 



WARD XII. OF THE CITY OF BOSTON, 



By THOMAS C. SIMONDS. 



\. 
BOSTON : 

DAVID CLAPP OVER 184 WASHINGTON STREET. 

1 857. 



51^ 



Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1857, by 

DAVID CLAPP, 

in the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the District of Massachusetts. 




^ 



PREFACE. 



Much of the following History was written for the columns of the 
" South Boston Gazette and Dorchester Chronicle," and was printed 
ill that paper, at irregular intervals, during the years 1850 and 18<31. 
The writer, since deceased, was peculiarly well qualified for this 
species of authorship ; it was a work in which he took great delight, 
and no pains were spared in diligent research and careful preparation 
of materials. It was his intention to collate these scattered chapters 
of the '« History of Mattapannock," as he styled them, at some 
future period, and publish them in a book, with such alterations and 
additions as might be found necessary or expedient. The sudden 
foilure of his health, in the summer of 1856, induced him to do this 
earlier than he had intended, and the whole of the printed matter 
which he thought suitable to re-publish in this form was carefully 
prepared for the press before he was wholly confined to a sick-bed. 

Early in the year 1857, an arrangement was made by him with 
the present Publisher to issue the work during the ensuing summer, . 
with the hope of all that he might live to see it completed. But a 
wise Providence determined otherwise; he died March 2d, 1857,. 
when but little more than twenty-four years of age, and this work 
now follows his premature and lamented decease — his name not 
more lastingly impressed upon its title-page than it is cherished 
in the afiectionate remembrance and esteem of his many friends. 

The printing of the work was begun, with little thought of adding 
to the matter then contained in it, or of including any other" 



4 PREFACE. 

engravings than an ancient Plan of Dorcliester Neck and a 
View of the LawTence Enclosure; and an edition of a few hundred 
copies, it was supposed, would suffice for the demand. As it pro- 
gressed, however, it was found that additional matters of interest 
might be advantageously included, as well as various illustra- 
tions. These have augmented the expense of publication materially, 
and may increase the demand for the book ; but as the printing 
had considerably advanced, neither the expense nor the anticipated 
demand could be met by an enlargement of the edition. 

In obtaining additional information with which to em-ich the 
<« History," and in a general supervision of the whole as it has 
passed tlirough the press, Alvan Simoxds, Esq., and Mr. Joseph 
H. Simoxds, have given much time and valuable labor. 

For most of the sketches of " distinguished citizens," the reader is 
indebted to the pen of the E,ev. Lemuel Capex, whose long and fami- 
liar acquaintance with the individuals, and acknowledged skill and 
impai'tiality in the delineation of character, eminently qualified him 
for AATiting these memoirs of some of the Fathers of our Peninsula. 

To all others who have aided in supplying materials for this little 
work, either recently or to the deceased author in his original efforts, 
many thanks are cheerfrOly tendered. !Messrs. Fraxk Hedge 
and John Andrew, whose fine wood engravings add much to its 
embellishment, as well as all concerned in furnishing the beautifully 
executed portraits, are deserving of praise. 

The work is now submitted, by the Publisher, to the citizens of 
South Boston, in the hope that it may make known and preserve to 
them a knowledge of persons and events which shotdd not be 
suffered to pass into oblivion ; and that, though it be found incom- 
plete in many respects, its errors may prove few and unimportant. 

August 1, 1857. 



CONTENTS, 



CHAPTER I. 



Mattapan Settled and called Dorchester — Mattapaii- 
nock called Dorchester Neck 9 

CHAPTER n. 

Division of Mattapannock 18 

CHAPTER ni. 

First Settlers of Mattapannock 31 

CHAPTER IV. 

First Settlers of Mattapannock, continued ... 40 

CHAPTER V. 

Dorchester Heights — Revolutionary Events ... 45 

CHAPTER VI. 

Further Settlement of Mattapannock ..... 67 

CHAPTER VIL 

Annexation to Boston 72 

CHAPTER VIII. 
Bridges and Avenues 80 



6 CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER IX. 
Bridges and Avenues, continued 94 

CHAPTER X. 

War with England — Public Execution .... 104 

CHAPTER XL 

Schools and School-houses Ill 

CHAPTER XII. 
Schools, continued 133 

CHAPTER XIII. 
Schools, continued 145 

CHAPTER XIV. 
Churches 154 

CHAPTER XV. 
Churches, continued 163 

CHAPTER XVI. 

Mattapan Literary Association — Blind Asylum — 

School for Idiots 182 

CHAPTER XVII. 
Streets 194 

CHAPTER XVIII. 
Manufactories 204 

CHAPTER XIX. 
Miscellaneous 216 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER XX. 



Early Inhabitants — Statistics of Population, &c. — 
Municipal Government 228 

CHAPTER XXI. 
Distino'uished Citizens 238 



APPENDIX. 

A. — Memorial of the Committee of the Town of 

Dorchester against Annexation . . . . 2t*r 

B. — Memorial of Petitioners in favor of Annexation 279 

C. — Act annexing Dorchester Neck to Boston . 282 

D. — Land owned by Mr. Gould — Foster Estate . 284 



E. — Act in part authorizing the Erection of Boston 

South Bridge 288 



'&" 



F. — Act establishing a Free Bridge in the City of 

Boston 292 

G.— Extracts from the Will of John Hawes . . 295 

H. — Instruction of Laura Bridgman 297 

I._South Boston Memorial, in 1841 300 

J. — Act to annex Washington Village to Boston . 313 

New Census of Voters 315 

Resignation of Ministers, &c 316 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 



Portrait of Cyrus Alger, Esq. . . . Frontispiece. 

Portrait of Hox. Isaac Adams p. 206 

Plan of Dorchester Neck ix 1*7*75 31 

Plan of South Boston in 185*7 196 

View of the Lawrence Enclosure at Mt. Auburn 140 

View of the Bigelow School-house 148 

View of the Lawrence School-house .... 148 

View of the Mt. Washington Female Institute 153 

View of the Dwelling-house of Capt. Noah 

Brooks 265 



HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON, 



CHAPTER I. 



MATTAPAN SETTLED AXD CALLED DORCHESTER 

MATTAPANNOCK CALLED DORCHESTER NECK. 

Ix the early part of the year 1630, a party of pious 
persons, chiefly residents of the counties of Devon, 
Dorset and Somerset, in England, came to the deci- 
sion to emigrate to North America. Accordingly, 
they held a meeting at Plymouth, and set apart a day 
for solemn fasting and prayer to seek the divine 
approbation and assistance. They chose the Rev. 
John Maverick and the Rev. John Wareham to be 
their ministers. 

Arrangements were immediately made for their 
emigration ; and on the 20th day of March, the com- 
pany set sail in the ship Mary and John, of 400 tons, 
commanded by Capt. Squeb. They encountered a 
violent storm on their passage, but yet, as recorded 
by one of their number, " they came by the good 
hand of the Lord, through the deeps comfortably." 
In a poem written by Gov. Wolcott, son of Roger 
Wolcott, one of the passengers, some particulars of 
the voyage are narrated. This poem is to be found. 
2 



10 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTOl^. 

in the Collections of the Massachusetts Historical 
Society, Yol. IV., pages 262—298. We select from 
it the following account of the storm to which we 
have referred. 

<< The winds awhile 
Are courteous, and conduct them on their way^ 
To near the midst of the Atlantic sea, 
When suddenly their pleasing gales they change 
For dismal storms that on the ocean range. 
Meanwhile our founders in the cahin sat, 
Eeflectmg on their truly sad estate, 
Whilst holy Wareham's sacred lips did treat 
About God's promises and mercies great, 
And now a mighty sea the ship o'ertakes, 
Which, falling on the deck, the bulk-head breaks :. 
The sailors cling to ropes, and frighted cry, 
« The ship is foundered ! Oh, we die, we die ! ' 
Those in the cabin heard the sailors screech, 
All rise, and reverend Wareham do beseech^ 
That he would now uplift to heaven a cry 
For preservation in extremity. 
He, with a faith sure bottom'd on the Word 
Of Him that was of seas and winds the Lord, 
His eye lifts up to Heaven, his hand extends, 
And fervent prayers for deliverance sends. 
The winds abate, the threatening waves appease. 
And a sweet calm sits regent on the seas. 
They bless the name of their deliverer, 
And now they found a God that heareth prayer." 

The remainder of the poem is very interesting^ 
and gives an account of the motives which actuated 
these persons to remove to a wilderness, as also an 
excellent description of the voyage. 

Suffice it to say, that 

«« Religion was the cause that did incline 
Ard moved our founders to this great design/' 



EARLY SETTLEMENT, 11 

It was on the 29tli of May, Old Style, 1630, that 
this company arrived on the coast of Massachusetts.. 
It was the last day of the week, and as the rays of the 
setting sun gilded the land which was in future to be 
their home, they were A^cry desirous that they might 
land, that the rest of the Sabbath might not be dis- 
turbed. The wind was favorable, and every thing 
seemed propitious to enable the pilgrims to land ere 
the day was totally spent. But the captain not 
knowing the channel, and fearing lest there might 
not be a sufiicient depth of water for his vessel, cast 
anchor for the night. 

According to the agreement, the captain was to 
land them on the Charles River. Yet in spite of his 
promises, and in disregard of their veneration for 
the Lord's Day, and their repeated protestations 
against the course he was pursuing, the whole com- 
pany were obliged to land with their goods on Nan- 
tasket Point. The captain was afterwards obliged 
to pay damages for this act. 

From their know^n habits, we can have no doubt 
that their first act on landing was to kneel in prayer 
to Him who had thus far been a God to them. 
Sw^eetly must the subdued supplication of the belov- 
ed Wareham have floated on the air. Landed on a 
shore far different from what they expected, know- 
ing not which way to proceed, nor how to act, we 
we may suppose that the prayers offered on that day 
came from lips that offered no mock service. 

In imagination, we think we hear the voices of 
those who had left friends and home to seek an asy- 
lum in the wilds of America, uplifted in prayer and 
praise. Fervently do they supplicate for protection, 
and with gratitude do they offer up thanks for their 
safe arrival; and 



12 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

** As the sounding aisles of the dim woods rang 
To the anthems of the free," 

solemn and impressive must have been the scene. 

Thus left to provide for themselves, they succeed- 
ed in procuring a boat from an old planter, probably 
John Oldham, who had left Plymouth Colony, and 
had settled at Nantasket. This man afterwards 
united with the company. On Monday forenoon, 
Captain Southcoat, Roger Clap, and eight other able- 
bodied men, were appointed to take the boat and 
visit Mishawaum, at the mouth of Charles River, and 
ascertain whether they could be there accommodated. 
In the mean time, other parties were despatched in 
various directions, to spy out the land. On Wed- 
nesday, a part of the company sailed up a bay now 
called, from that circumstance, Old Harbor, and see- 
ing that the peninsula, now known as South Boston, 
was a favorable place for the pasturage of cattle, 
they immediately decided to settle in Mattapan, 
afterwards called Dorchester. By this means they 
could enjoy the use of Mattapannock, as it was called 
by the Indians, or Mattapan neck. 

That this was the cause of their settlement in 
Mattapan, is proved by the following passage from 
the " Annals " of the town of Dorchester : — 

" They had not stayed here at Watcrtown but a 
few days but y^ rest of their Company below had 
found out a neck of land Joyning to a place called 
by y*' Indians Mattapan, that was a fit place to turn 
their cattle upon to prevent their straying : So they 
sent to their friends to come away from AVatertown, 
and they settled at Mattapan, and turned their Cat- 
tle upon y^ Sd neck then called Mattapannock, now 
called Dorchester Neck." 

From Prince's New England Chronology we also 
copy the following record : — 



EARLY SETTLEMENT. 13 

"May 30th (Lord's Day), Mr. Warcham, Mave- 
rick, Rossitcr, and Ludlow, arrived at Nantasket. 
Capt. Squeb puts them and their goods on shore at 
Nantasket Point, and leaves them to shift for them- 
selves. But getting a boat of some old planters, 
they lade her with goods, and some able-bodied men, 
well armed, go up to Charlestown, where we find 
some wigwams, some few English, and one house 
with an old planter who can speak Lidian. We go 
up Charles River until it grows narrow and shallow, 
and there with much labor land our goods, the banks 
being steep. Our Captain is Mr. Southcot, a brave 
low country soldier, but we are not above ten in 
number. But are not there many days before we 
have orders to come away from this place, which is 
after called Watertown, to Matapan (so spelt in this 
record, but in those made afterwards written with 
two t's), because there is a neck fit for to keep 
cattle on." 

It would thus appear, that to the benefits supposed 
to be gained by having Mattapannock as a pasture 
ground for cattle, Dorchester is indebted for its 
early settlement. 

The settlers immediately went to work, and for 
several days " the setting up of cottages, booths and 
tents " for the shelter of their families, occupied 
their attention. 

Many of the first settlers of Dorchester were 
^^ persons of note and figure, being dignified with the 
title of Mr., which but few in those days were." 
Quite a number of these men were traders, and 
when they first selected Dorchester as their resi- 
dence, intended it as a place of commerce. They 
accordingly built a fort near the water-side, and 
mounted several cannon ; but on account of the poor 
2* 



14 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

channel and difficult landing, it was thought best to 
desist from their design, and not a few afterwards 
removed to Boston, which soon became a place of 
some commercial importance. 

The first settlers landed near the neck, between 
Mattapan and Mattapannock, and there built their 
town. Says Blake, " These first settlers set down 
pretty thick together at the northerly end of the 
town, next the aforesaid neck of land, and on the 
easterly side of the sea." This was necessary in 
order that they might be near their cattle. 

Arriving at too late a period to plant even com- 
mon legumes, they soon came to want. The habita- 
tions they had erected were very uncomfortable, 
and quite a number were obliged to live in tents. 
In the early part of 1631, bread failed in every house 
in the settlements except that of the Governor. The 
people ate muscles, clams and ground-nuts, and of 
these even they had but a limited supply. Accustomed 
to the best of fare, and to comfortable habitations, it 
must have proved a great hardship for these " per- 
sons of good rank and circumstances in their native 
country." They endured great suffering, and yet they 
murmured not. Though cast down, still they were 
not overcome ; trusting in an Almighty arm, they felt 
a strength of soul, and a mighty courage, which ena- 
bled them to brave every danger. Their privations 
and sufferings are thus described by Capt. Roger 
Clap, in his " Memoirs." " ! the hunger that many 
suffered, and saw no hope in the eye of reason to be 
supplied only by clams, muscles and fish. We did 
quickly build boats, and some went a fishing : but 
bread was with many a scarce thing, and flesh of all 
.kinds as scarce." 

Feeling that God alone could aid them in their 



EARLY SETTLEMENT. 15 

troubles, they set apart February sixth as a day of 
fastiug and prayer. Before the day came, however, 
they were relieved from their want and distress. 
The Grovernor, who had forseen that provisions 
would be needed, had sent to Ireland for a supply. 
The arrival of the " Lion," laden with food, on the 
fifth of February, prevented the colony from perish- 
i?ig by famine. This unexpected supply of provi- 
sions excited anew the hopes of the colonists, and 
the sixth of February was observed as a day of 
Thanksgiving and Praise, instead of a day of Fasting. 

Roger Clap, in his " Memoirs," thus makes men- 
tion of the arrival of a supply of provisions : — 

'■^ And in those Days, in our Straits, though I can- 
not say God sent a Raven to feed us, as He did the 
prophet Elijah ; yet this I can say to the Praise of 
God's Glory, that he sent not only poor ravenous 
Indians, which came with their Baskets of Corn on 
their Backs, to Trade with us ; but also sent ships 
from Holland and Ireland with Provisions, and In- 
dian corn from Virginia, to supply the Wants of his 
dear Servants in this Wilderness, both for Food and 
Rayment. And when Peoples Wants were great, 
not only in one Town but in divers Towns, such was 
the godly Wisdom, Care and Prudence (not Selfish- 
ness, but Self-Denial) of our Governour Winthrop 
and his Assistants, that when a Ship came laden with 
Provisions, they did order that the whole Cargo 
should be bouo-ht for a General Stock ; and so ac- 
cordingly it was, and distribution was made to every 
Town, and to every Person in each Town, as every 
Man had need. Thus God was pleased to care for 
his People in Times of Straits, and to fill his Ser- 
vants with Food and Gladness. Then did all the 
Servants of God bless his holy Name, and love one 
another with pure Hearts fervently." 



16 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

During the year 1631, the arrival of several ships 
increased the number of the colonists, and likewise 
augmented their stock of provisions, as each vessel 
brought food for the settlement. Our ancestors also 
reaped a plentiful harvest at the close of the season, 
and although they had enough and to spare, yet they 
practised the greatest economy, not knowing what 
was before them. One of their number thus writes : 
^^ We were taught by our many trials and sufferings 
to stoop to a wilderness condition, which we had 
freely chosen to ourselves for the quiet of our own 
minds and the good of posterity." The affairs of 
the colony appeared very prosperous, and those who 
but the year before had felt fearful lest the settle- 
ment would be abandoned, now looked forward with 
hope to the time when it should become a stronghold 
of those religious principles, for the free exercise of 
which they had left their native land and braved the 
dangers of the wilderness. 

The years 1631 and 1632 were mostly occupied 
in settling the affairs of the colony, in building habi- 
tations, and in establishing a body to make laws, to 
provide for the common defence, and carry into ope- 
ration all measures which it might be thought best 
to adopt. Says Blake, in his " Annals," which con- 
tain nearly all the authentic history of the settlement 
of Dorchester extant, " These years were spent in 
working themselves into Settlements, & Incorporat- 
ing into a Body to carry on y'^ Public Affairs of y® 
Plantation ; in Granting many Parcels of Land & 
Meadow to I suppose every particular Person ; but 
for ye House-lots where they first Set down, we have 
no Records of them, they being taken up as afore- 
said." 

It is believed that the form of government or 



EARLY SETTLEMENT. it 

Town organization, which has prevailed in New 
England for the last two centuries, and which has 
contributed so much to the well-being of society, 
had its origin in the town of Dorchester. The set- 
tlers of this town in 1633 began the practice of elect- 
ing Selectmen to provide for the best interests of 
the colony, and to put into execution all laws that 
might be made. Says Blake, "This year (1633) 
this Plantation began y® Practice of Choosing men, 
that we now call Selectmen or Townsmen. They 
Chose 12 this year to order y^ Affairs of ye Planta- 
tion, who were to have their Monthly Meeting, and 
their orders being Confirmed by y^ Plantation were 
of full force and being to y^ Inhabitants. There 
were many orders made this year concerning Cattle 
and Fences, &c., & Penalties annexed ; besides many 
grants of Land." 

On the 16th of August, 1635, the Rev. Richard 
Mather arrived at Boston. This distinguished cler- 
gyman, of whom we shall speak at greater length 
hereafter, was accompanied with one hundred other 
persons desirous of settling in New England. Blake 
says, "Arriued here on Aug. 16th, the Revd. Mr. 
Richard Mather, that was a long time after Pastor 
of this Church, and with him a great Number of 
Godly People that Settled here with him. There 
came with him 100 Passengers, & 23 Seamen, 23 
Cows and Heifers, 3 Sucking Calues, and 8 Mares, 
& none Died by y^ way, though they met with as 
terrible a storm as was almost ever heard of." Im- 
mediately on his arrival, Mr. Mather received invi- 
tations to settle at Plymoutli, Roxbury, and Dorches- 
ter. By the advice of his friends, Cotton and Hooker, 
he chose the latter place. 

The following is a record made of this year by 



18 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

Blake. " This year made great alteration in y« town 
of Dorchester, for Mr. Mather & j^ Godly people 
that came with him from Lancashire wanting a place 
to settle in, some of y*' People of Dorchester were 
willing to remoue and make room for them, and so 
Mr. Warham & about half y^ Church remoued to 
Windsor in Connecticut Colony, and Mr. Mather & 
his people came & Joined with Mr. Maverick and 
tliat half of y*^ Church that were left, and from these 
people so united are y*' greatest part of y^ present 
Inhabitants descended. When these two Companies 
of people were thus united they made one Church, 
having y« S*^ Revd. Mr. John Maverick, & y« S*^ Revd. 
Mr. Richard Mather for their Pastors." 



CHAPTER II. 

DIVISION OP MATTAPANNOCK. 

It was not till the year 1637 that there was any 
formal division of Mattapannock, and it is probable 
that till that date all the settlers had a right to have 
their cattle pastured in South Boston. In this year, 
however, a number of the colonists obtained from 
the town the exclusive privilege of using the penin- 
sula. Says Blake, " In some part of this Year the 
Town chose 20 Men to order y'^ affairs of y*' Planta- 
tion ; and very many orders were made for y^ dispo- 
sal of small pieces of Land & Marsh, &c., and a List of 
those who were to haue Land in y'' Division of y® 
Neck & other Lands, consisting of about 104 Names." 

It is supposed that no legal division was made ; 
that is, the land was not divided into separate por- 



DIVISION OP M ATT AP ANNO CK. 19 

tions, but each had a riglit in common to use it as a 
pasture. The following is a list of the names of 
those who had a right to use Mattapannock, now 
South Boston, taken from the Town Records : — 

Thomas Andrews. Mr. Humphrey Atherton. Mr. 
James Bates. Mr. Bellingham. John Benham. Mrs, 
Brio-o-s. William Blake. Edward Bullock. Mr. 
Nicholas Butler. Bernard Capen (this man died 
Nov. S, 1638, aged 76 years). John Capen (a dis- 
tinguished personage, who became a Freeman in 
1634, was Captain of the Militia, Deacon and Repre- 
sentative, and died April 4, 1692, aged 80 years), 
Edward Clap (this man was Deacon of the Church 
26 years). Nicholas Clap (also Deacon). Roger 
Clap (afterwards Captain of the Castle, and author 
of the interesting Memoirs of the first settlement of 
the Town). Austin Clement. Richard Collicot. 
Robert Deeble. Thos. Dickerman. Thomas Dim- 
mock. Nathaniel Duncan. George Dyer. John 
Eelles. Joseph Farnsworth. Benjamin Fenn. Jo- 
seph Flood. Widow Foster. Christopher Gibson 
(this person was one of the founders of the Second 
Church in Boston, and bequeathed his property, after 
the payment of his debts and legacies, to be invest- 
ed in some real estate, " for the promoting of Dor- 
chester; it amounted to £104). Mr. John Gilbert. 
Mr. John Glover (another distinguished man, a Cap- 
tain and a Representative, the first who set up tan- 
ning in Massachusetts, and died Jan. 1654). John 
Greenway (Good man). Thos. Hatch. Mr. William 
Hathorne (a Representative, Speaker of the House, 
Captain of the Militia, Major ^and Assistant). John 
Hayden. Richard Hawes (Good man). Mr. Haw- 
kins. Mr. John Hill. John Holland. John Hol- 
man. John Hull. Jonas Humphreys. Mr. Hutch- 



24 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON. 

inson. Richard Jones. Thos. Jones. Mr. John 
Knight. Thomas Kinncrsley. John Kinsley. Thos. 
Lambert. William Lane (Good man). Mr. Thomas 
Makepeace. Mr. Martin. Rev. Richard Mather. 
Alexander Miller. John Miller. Thomas Millet. 
Mr. George Minot (this man was Ruling Elder of 
the Church for 30 years). John Moore. Edward 
Munnings. Mr. Thomas Newbury. John Niles. Mr. 
James Parker (a clergyman). John Phillips. John 
Pierce. Robert Pierce. Andrew Pitcher. John 
Pope. William Preston. Daniel Price. George 
Proctor. Widow Purchase. William Read. Mr. 
Thomas Richards. Joseph Rigby. Thos. Samford. 
Matthew Sension. Widow Smed. John Smith. Mr. 
Stoughton. William Sumner. Thomas Swift. Nich- 
olas Upsall. Richard Wade. Nathaniel Wales. 
Georo:e Way. Georirc Weeks. John Whitcomb. 
Edward White. Mr. Whitfield. Mr. Whitman. 
Bray Wilkins. Thomas Wiswall. Mr. Withing-ton. 
Henry Wright, Richard Wright. 

It appears, then, that Mattapannock, now so valu- 
able a part of Boston, was considered by the first 
settlers as not of sufficient value to be divided. It 
was a fine pasture for the herds of cattle which the 
colonists brought with them, and accordingly was 
used exclusively for that purpose. We can imagine 
the appearance of South Boston at that time. A 
peninsula, or rather an island at high water, covered 
with a rich growth of grass, marked the spot now 
occupied by hundreds of dwelling-houses. Where 
now are laid out wide streets, once grazed a large 
number of cattle. In some parts of the peninsula 
were found clumps of trees, which afforded shelter 
for the kine. By constructing a few rods of fence, 
the cattle were prevented from straying away. This 



EARLY SETTLEMENT. 25 

fence was built near the present junction of Dor- 
chester Avenue and the causeway between South 
Boston and Dorchester. From thence ran a path- 
way to the Neck, commanded by a gate. Persons 
were appointed to collect and drive all the kine 
to the common pasture, and to go for them at night. 
We are informed by the chronicle that " The oxen 
and steers were in one fenced pasture by themselves, 
and the younglings in another." 

Thus for many years was South Boston used only 
as a pasture for cattle. It may be a consolation, how- 
ever, to reflect that among those who had a right to^ 
occupy Mattapannock, there were numbered some of 
the most illustrious of the colonists. Several Re- 
presentatives, three or four Captains, two clergymen, 
quite a number of Good men and Misters, sent their 
kine daily to South Boston to eat of the fat of the 
land ; while among the names of the one hundred 
and four, we find several Widows who also shared 
in the peninsula which was " so fit a place for cattle." 
Even good Bichard Mather shared in this privilege; 
and sent his Brindle to graze on the very ground 
perchance where now stands the edifice called by 
his name and devoted to the acquisition of useful 
knowledge. 

In 1642 was launched the first ship built in Dor- 
chester. Although we find no mention made as to 
the place where it was built, still there is but little 
doubt that it was constructed near the residences of, 
the colonists, and therefore not far from South Bos- 
ton. It was probably launched into the Old Harbor.- 

The following are some of the regulations made 
at various times by the Town in regard to the cattle 
to be pastured in Mattapannock. 

"April 3, 1638. It is ordered that for this year 
3 



26 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON, 

only the oxen, ma res, goats and young cattle shall 
be kept at the Neck, and no man shall keep any 
cowes there on pain of ten shillings for every cow 
so kept there contrary to this order. 

"Feb. 13, 1639. It is ordered that no swine shall 
be kept at the Great Neck^ on pain of five shillings 
to be levied by distress. 

<^ April 1, 1640. It is ordered that no man shall 
put any cattle on the Great Neck till the 15th of 
this month, on pain of 12d. for every beast that shall 
be found there before that day, to be levied by dis- 
trbss." 

The last order was passed in order to prevent 
persons from turning their cattle out to pasture be- 
fore the grass was of sufficient growth to supply 
them with food. The sam.e order was passed in 
succeeding years. 

Several years passed before any definite division 
was made. From the following order, passed the 
7th of the 4th month, 1642, we are led to suppose 
that those who received land on the Neck in 1637^ 
had commenced marking out their plots. 

" Agreed that in laying out the Neck of land, they 
are to begin at the north side of the Neck, and lay 
that out first, namely of the. north side of the way 
that is laid out. And when that is laid out, then to 
begin at the south side of the way and go forward ; 
that if any land be left, it may lie at the farthest 
part towards the castle, and Bro. Jones, Mr. Glover^ 
and Bro. Wilks are to give such allowance for swamps 
as they in their wisdom shall think meet." 

When the division was made, a certain portion of 
the Neck was reserved by the town as a common 
pasture. Any person had the privilege of allowing 
his cattle to graze on this parcel, provided he paid 
a small tax imposed by the town. 



EARLY SETTLEMENT. 27 

In Novem})cr, 1G56, the proprietors of the Neck 
made a long statement of grievances wliicli they suf- 
fered, and requested certain changes in the position 
of the fence about the town pasture. The matter 
was duly considered, and such changes were made 
as to satisfy the complainants. In 1657 the fence 
across the passage from the main land to Mattapan- 
nock had become broken in some places, and the 
causeway needed repairs. The following order was 
passed Dec. 4, at a regular Town Meeting: — 

" Ordered, that the proprietors of the Neck be 
requested to repair the fence and causeway, and in 
default of so doing they be prosecuted under the law 
in regard to roads and fences." 

In 1667 the persons who owned land in Mattapan- 
nock were obliged to pay a, tax of half a penny on 
€ach acre of plowed land only. The following is a 
list of those who were rated, 11th month, 3d day : — 

^^ Capt. Clap, 7d. ; Jos. Farnsworth, Is.; Anniel 
Weeks, 2d.; Obadiah Swift, 2d. ; Widow Smith, 3d. ; 
Mr. Patten, 2d.; Richard Baker, Is.; William Sum- 
ner, 7d. :; John Blackman, Id.; Nicholas Clap, lid.; 
Augustin Clement, 4d. ; Widow Clap, 9d. ; Timothy 
Mather, Is. 2d.; Capt. Foster, Is. 6d. ; Richard 
Withington, Is. Id.; William Clarke, 6d. ; John 
Blake, Id. ; Samuel Clap, 4d. ; Wid. Baker, Is. 3d. ; 
Obadiah Hawes, Id. ; Wid. Mannings, 3d. ; Ezra 
Clap, 6d.; John Capen, Junr., 2d.; Deacon Wiswall, 
8d.; George Dyer, 6d. ; Dea. Capen, 3d. ; Mr. How- 
ard, 7d.; John Mosely, 2d.; Mrs. Stoughton, 2s.; 
Isaac Jones, 6d. ; Widow Batten, 4d. ; James White, 
2d. ; Mr. Jones, lOd. ; Ebenezer Williams, 3d. ; Enoch 
Wiswall, 6d. ; Thomas Lake, Id. ; James Blake, lid. ; 
Nath'l Clap, 6d. Total sum, 19s. 9d. 

Charges laid out for Gate and Hinges, XI 2s." 



28 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON. 

Previous to 1690, the value of the Neck Lands is 
not known. It is probable that the transfers of ti- 
tles, in most instances, were merely an exchange for 
the greater convenience of all parties. The fol- 
lowing table, however, shows the value of land at 
different times : — 

In 1690, a lot of choice upland sold for X4 an acre. 

1694, a lot of 12 acres in the vicinity of the pre- 
sent Lyceum building sold for £40 New England 
currency — about $3,33 per acre. 

1720, choice upland, $7 per acre. 

1740, choice meadow, $2,75 per acre. 

1750, upland below M street, about $3 per acre. 

1760, upland below M street, about $3 per acre. 

From this time till after the Revolution, the price 
varied but little. 

In ancient deeds we find apparently a great dif- 
ference in the price of land at different times, when 
in fact there was but little. This is caused by the 
variation in the value of paper money. The sub- 
joined table shows the number of shillings necessary 
to make a dollar in silver at different periods : — 

From 1630 to 1652, 26s. 8d. was the value of one 
ounce of silver, or about $1. 

From 1652 to 1700, 20s. "to an ounce of silver. 

In 1710, 8s. to an ounce of silver. 
1720, 12s. '' " " 

1730, 20s. " " 
1740, 28s. " " " 

1750, 60s. " " 

Most of the land in South Boston changed hands 
before 1 700, as by the death of the first proprietors 
a division was made among tlie heirs. In 1718, 
those who held land in Mattapannock held a meet- 
ing, and decided to fence their several lots. The 



EARLY SETTLEMENT. 29 

following is a copy of the record of this meeting. 
We transcribe it from the original docmnent in the 
hand-writing of Adam Winthrop^ the Secretary. 

^^ Dorchester, Nov. 26, 1718. 

"At a Meeting of the Proprietors of Dorchester 
Neck, warned by Mr. Preserved Capen, to consider 
of the Future Management and Improvement of 
S^ Neck. 

" Present — Lieut. Foster, 70 acres ; Capt. Wiswall, 
60; Elder TopMe, 2; Deacon James Blake, 80; 
Sam'l Capen, 1 1-2; Sam'l Clap, 14; Jona. Clap and 
mother, 25 ; Eben'r Clap, 11 ; Benja. Bird, 30 ; John 
Eliot, 23; Sam'l Capen, Junr., 4; Richard Withing- 
ton and mother, 30; Humphrey Atherton, 17; Pre- 
served Capen, 16 1-2; Abiel Bird, 3; Thomas Bird, 
5 1-2 ; Ephraim Pearson, 3 ; John Blackman, 3 ; Oba- 
diah Swift, 3 ; John Glover, 2 ; Jerijah Wales, 1 1-2 ; 
William Clap, 2; Hopestill Capen, 2 1-4; Adam 
Winthrop, 35; Winthrop for Col. Tailer, 19; Eben- 
ezer Holmes, 7; Jona. Clap for Widow Blake, 12; 
Jos. Weeks for his mother, 4. Total, 486 1-4 acres. 

^' Desired by the Proprietors that Adam Winthrop 
should enter the votes, 

^'- Voted, That we allow persons absent to be re- 
presented by those that are present upon their 
Desire, 

" Voted, that each Proprietor's Vote shall be ac- 
cording to the Number of Acres he possesses. 

" That Lieut. Foster and Deacon Blake be desired 
at or before the Town's Meeting, which is to be Next 
Monday, the first of December, to notify the Select- 
men of Dorchester that the Causeway over to Dor- 
chester Neck is defective and out of Repair, and that 
it is the Desire of the Proprietors that the Town 
3* 



30 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

would direct it to be mended speedily, or as soon 
as may be. 

" That in case the Tovvai shall not order the mend- 
ing of S*^ Causeway at or before the Town's Meet- 
ing in March next, that then Capt. Oliver Wiswall 
and Mr. Benja. Bird do present the Said Way to the 
Quarter Sessionfor the County of Suffolk in Apr ill next. 

" Voted, that the Said Neck, from and after the 
Term of Six Months from this Time, w^^^ will be the 
26th Day of May next, be no longer held or deemed 
as a Common or Generall Field. But that the Pro- 
prietors of Lands there be obliged to make, main- 
tain and keep up Fences there, as in other places in 
the Province, any Useage or Custom to the Contra- 
ry notwithstanding. 

"At the desire of Deacon Blake that he may set 
up a Gate across the Way by his Orchard, to pre- 
vent a great charge of Fencing which it will other- 
wise take to keep Cattle from the Water and the 
Meadow, consented to, provided he keep up a Good 
Gate convenient for Horses and Carts. 

" That we are still willing the Gate at the Mouth 
of the Neck shall still stand. Provided it do not in- 
terfere with the Votes abovementioned. 

" That Copies of these Votes be lodged, as soon 
as they are drawn fair, in the hands of Lieut. Foster, 
Capt. Wiswall and Deacon Blake, and secured there 
hereafter, that any proprietor may have a Coppy by 
paying for it. 

"At the Desire of the Proprietors that I would 
attest the above Votes as passed at the 
S'^ Meeting, I do accordingly attest the same. 

Adam Winthrop." 
At the House of 
Mr. Sam'l Clap, 
Nov. 26, 1718." 




PLAN OF DORCHESTER NECK— Drawn for the use of the British Army in 1775. 



EARLY SETTLEME>^T. 31 



CHAPTER III. 

FIRST SETTLERS OF MATTAPANNOCK. 

It is not known when tlie first dwelling-house was 
built in South Boston. No record is made of it in 
the Town Books, and the Assessors' Lists anterior 
to 1770 have all been destroyed by fire. It is pro- 
bable, however, that the first house erected in Mat- 
tapannock was built about the year 1660, by Dea. 
James Blake, an ancestor of the Blake Family now 
resident among us. The site of this building was 
on the spot where now stands the residence of Sam- 
uel Blake, Esq., at the Point. In a will made in 
1693, we find mention of this house, and in the year 
1732 it was so impaired by age that it was taken 
down, and a new one erected on the same spot. 

Gradually the number of persons residing in South 
Boston increased; and in 1776 there were nine 
dwelling-houses and twelve families in Mattapan- 
nock. From a map of Boston and its vicinity, drawn 
by order of the British General, in 1775, we have a 
projection of South Boston, with every house -and 
every tree on the peninsula. An aged member of 
the Blake Family, who was born in 1776, has given 
us such information that we are now able to state the 
names of the occupants of all the houses. 

First, on Nook's Lane, afterwards called ^^The 
Way," was the house of Mrs. Foster, situated on the 
parcel of land where now stand two large trees, at 
the corner of Fourth and E streets, and opposite 
the Bigelow School-house. Tliis was for many years 
the residence of Ebenezer Jones, and in 1750 it 



32 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON. 

passed into the hands of the Fosters. At the time 
of the Revolntion, this dwelling was one of the most 
elegant in the vicinity of Boston, and it is related 
that in 1776 several Continental soldiers who stroll- 
ed over to the Neck were with difficulty restrained 
from destroying the house, thinking it belonged to a 
Tory, as several of the rooms were papered, a lux- 
ury almost unknown in those days. To the soldiers 
this was considered a sure sign that the occupant 
was a Tory or traitor. 

The next house, owned by Mr. Bird, was situated 
on a lane leading from what is now the head of Fourth 
street. 

A short distance farther east, near the present 
location of G- street, was a lane on which was built 
a barrack but one story high. This barrack was 
afterwards altered into a dwelling-house by building 
a second story, and was occupied by Oliver WiswalL 

Near the present site of the Ilawes Place Church 
once stood several houses designated as the " Vil- 
lage." One of these was occupied by Mr. Deluce, 
one by Mr. Marshall, and another by Mr. Harrington. 
One of them still exists. Deluce's will be remem- 
bered as a low building, for years unoccupied, situ- 
ated next to the Omnibus Office, and lately torn 
down. Williams's house has been kept in good re- 
pair, and is now inhabited. It stands a little, back 
from the Old Road. Behind Williams's house, and 
near the sea-shore, stood another dwelling, occupied 
by Mr. Ferrington ; and a little to the east of this, 
on a lane leading from the Old Road, stood Mann's 
house. A short distance farther east, and near the 
present location of the Hawes Burying Ground, 
stood the house of Mr. Harrington, whose descen- 
dants are still among us. At some distance south- 



FIRST SETTLERS OF MATTAPANNOCK. 33 

east of the house stood his barn. Nearly opposite, 
and where now stands the stockade fence, was John 
Wiswall's dwelling, and in his orchard, situated east 
of his house, was his barn. Then at the extreme 
Point was the house and barn of Deacon Blake, of 
whom we have spoken before. Connected with this 
house was a large orchard, consisting of one hundred 
trees of different kinds. Near Mr. Harrington's 
barn it is said there were several locust trees, bear- 
ing a fruit very pleasant to the taste. 

The cellar of the first Foster house, built under 
the two elm trees at the corner of E and Fourth 
streets, is still to be seen. These two trees are 
more than two hundred years old, and during the 
last few years many branches have become lifeless 
and have blown ofl."^ The Foster house, as we re- 
marked, was nearest to Boston, and was the only house 
west of Dorchester street. The remainder of the 
land was a pasture. There were quite a number of 
trees situated between Dorchester and D streets. 
There was also by far the best orchard in the vici- 
nity connected with this house. Peach, apple and 
plum trees were found in considerable numbers. 

In 1681, died Mr. John Foster, one of the family 
who resided in South Boston. We find the follow- 
ing in the " Annals," under date of this year. "Died 
Mr. John Foster, Son of Capt. Hopestill Foster; 
School-master of Dorchester, and he that made the 
then Seal or Arms of y^ Colony, namely, an Indian 
with a Bow & Arrow, &c. Upon his Tomb or Grave 
Stone is written as follows : — 



* These trees, since the above was written, have been cut down to 
make room for buildings. 



34 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON. 

^The 

' Ingenious 

^ Matheniatition & Printer 

' Mr. John Foster, 

^ Aged Thirty three years : Died Sept. 9, 

a681. 

^Apr. 1682.'" 

Mr. Foster was a graduate of Harvard College, 
and was a man of considerable note. His funeral 
was attended by a large number of mourning friends, 
and in accordance with the custom of the times, the 
afflicted family received Elegies on the death of their 
brother. There are now living in South Boston 
persons directly descended from the Fosters who 
first lived on Dorchester Neck. From them we have 
received two of the Elegies written on the death of 
Mr. John Foster. As they are rather curious docu- 
ments, we have transcribed them from the original 
copies. 

"FUNERAL ELEGY, 

Dedicated to the Memory of His 

Worthy Friend, The Learned and Religious 

Mr. John Foster, who Deceased in Dorchester the 

9 of Septr. 1661. 

Amongst the Mourners that are met 
(For Payment of their last love debt 
Unto the dead) to Solemnize, 
With Sighs and Tears his Obsequies, 

Love's Laws command that I appear 
And drop a kindly friendly Tear. 
I'll venture to bewail his Herse 
Though in a homely Country verse. 
To omit the same, it were 
A Crime at least Piacular. 



FIRST SETTLERS OF MATTAPANNOCK. 35 

Oiir woful loss for to Set forth 

By setting forth the matchless worth 

Of the Deceased is too high 

For my poor Rural Poetry, 

And greater Skill it doth require 

Than whereunto I may aspire. 

Records declare how he excelled 
In Parentage unparallell'd, 
Whose Grace and Virtues very great 
He did himself Impropriate 
Unto Himself; improved withall 
By Learning Academical. 

His Curious works had you but seen 

You would have thought Him to have beeis 

By Some Strange Metempsychosis 

A new reviv'd Archimedes ; 

At least you would have judg'd that he 

A rare Apolles would soon be. 

Adde to these things I have been hinting^ 

His skill in that rare Art of Printing ; 

His accurate Geography, 

And Astronomick Poetry ; 

And you would say 'twere pitty He 

Should dy without an Elegie. 

His piercing Astronomick Eye 

Could penetrate the Cloudy Sky, 

And Soar aloft, ith' highest sphere 

Descrying Stai's that disappear 

To common eyes ; But Faith and Hope 

His all excelling Telescope, 

Did help his heaven-born Soul to pry 

Beyond the Starry Canopy. 

His excellencies here, we find 
Were crowned with a humble mind ; 
Thus (Grace obtain'd and Art acquir'd 
And thirty-three years near expir'd) 



36 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON". 

He that here liv'd, belov'd, contented, 
Now dies bcwail'd and much lamented. 

Who knows the Skill, which to our losse 
This grave doth now alone ingrosse ; 
Ah who can tell John Fostek's worth 
Whose Anagram is, I shone forth. 
Presage was his Apoge, 
By a preceding Prodigie. 

Heaven's blazing Sword was brandished 
By Heaven's enraged wrath we dread ; 
Which Struck us with amazing fear 
Some fixed Star would disappear ; 
Th' appearance was not long adjourn'd 
Before our Fear to Sorrow turn'd. 

Oh Fatal Star (whose fearful flame 
A fiery chariot became, 
Whereby our Phoenix did ascend), 
Thou art our Foe, although his Friend. 

That rare Society, which forth 
Hath Sent Such Gems of greatest worth, 
Its Oaks and pleasant Plants by death 
Being pluckt up, it languisheth ; 
Thus dye our hopes, and Harvard's glory 
Scarce parallel'd in any Story. 

That God does thus our choice ones Slay 

And cunning Artist take away. 

The Sacred Oracles do show 

A dreadfull flood of wrath in view. 

Oh then let every one of you 
His rare accomplishments that knew. 
Now weep ; weep ye of Harvard Hall 
With bitterest Tears ; so weep we all. 

Chiefly such as Avere alone 
Flesh of his flesh, bone of his bone, 



FIRST SETTLERS OP MATTAPANNOCK. 37 

Lament indeed, and fill the skys 

With th' echo's of their dolefull cryes ; 

Let James and let Elisha too 

With Comfort,* Standfast weeping go, 

Thankfull, Patience, Mary likewise 

Like loveing Sisters solemnize 

With Sighs your greatest loss, but yet 

Your Thankfull, Hoiie do not forget 

With Perseverance to fulfill. 

Know your Elijah's God lives still. 

Staiidfast therefore with Patience, 

Comfort shall be your recompence. 

And as you yet survive your Brother, 
So be like comforts to your mother, 
Who like Naomi sad is left 
Of Husband and two Sons bereft ; 
So bitterly th' Almighty one 
Hath to our weeping Marah done. 

Grieve not too much, the time draws near 

You'll re-enjoy Relations dear, 

And all together will on high 

With everlasting Melody 

And perfect peace His praises sing. 

Who through all troubles did you bring. 

THOMAS TILESTON." 

We know little of the history of the author of 
this piece of poetry. He was without doubt a rare 
genius. It is mentioned that in 1676 he planted 
" y*^ Elm Trees now about y^ Meetins; House," in 
Dorchester. 

The following is a copy of another, of a still more 
curious character. 

* It is said that Comfort was a rather mischievous chap, and when 
his mother read this line, she remarked that she wished he would be • 
a little more of a comfort to her. 

4 



38 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

"FUNERAL ELEGY, 

Upon the much to be Lamented Death and most Deplorable Expiration of the PiouSy 
Learned, Ingenious, and Eminently Usefull Servant of God, 

Mr. John Foster, 

Who Expired and Breathed out his Soul quietly into the Arms of His Blessed BE 
DEEMER, at Dorchester, Sept. 9th, Anno Dom : 1681. JEtatis Anno 33. 

HERE lye the relict Fragments, which were took 

Out of Consumtion's teeth, by Death the Cook. 

Voracious Apetite dost thus devour 

Scarce ought hast left for worms t' live on an Hour 

But Skins & Bones, (no bones thou maks't of that. 

It is thy common trade t' eat all the fat.) 

Here lyes that earthly House, where once did dwell 

That Soul that Scarce hath left its Parallel 

For Sollid Judgment, Piety and Parts 

And peerless Skill in all the practick Arts, 

Which as the glittering Spheres it passed by, 

Methinks I saw it glance at ^Mercury ; 

Ascended now ; 'hove Tide and Time abides. 

Which sometimes told the world of Time and Tides. 

Next to the Third Heav'ens the Stars were his delight^ 

Where his Contemplation dwelt both day and night, 

Soaring unceartainly but now at Shoar, 

Whether Sol moves or stands He doubts no more. 

He that despis'd the things the world admired, 

As having Skill in rarer things acquired, 

The heav'ns Interpreter doth disappear ; 

The Starre's translated to his proper sphere. 

What e'er the world may think did cause his Death, 

Consumption, 'twas not Cupid, stopt his breath. 

The Heavens which God's glory doe discover. 

Have lost their constant Friend and instant Lover ; 

Like Atlas, he help't bear up that rare Art 

Astronomy, & always took her part : 

Most happy Soul who didst not there Sit down. 

But didst make after an eternal Crown, 

Sage Archimede ! Second BegalleeU ! 

Oh how didst thou in Curious works excell ! 



FIRST SETTLERS OF MATTAPANNOCK. 39 

Thine Art and Skill deserve to see the Press, 
And be Composed in a Printer's dress. 
Thy Name is worthy for to be enroll' d 
In Printed Letters of the Choicest Gold. 

Thy Death to five foretold Eclipses sad, 
A great one, trnforetold, doth superad, 
Successive to that strange iEthereal Blaze, 
Whereon thou didst so oft astonish'd gaze : 
Which daily gives the world such fatal blows ; 
Still what's to come we dread ; God only knows. 
Thy body which no aotiveness did lack, 
Now's laid aside like an old Almanack ; 
But for the present only's ovit of date — 
'Twill have at length a far more active State, 

Yea, though with dust thy body soiled be, 
Yet at the Resurrection we shall see 
A fair Edition and of matchless worth, 
Free from Errata, new in Heaven set forth : 
'Tis but a word from God the great Creatour, 
It shall be Done when He saith Imprimatur. 

Semoestus cecinit. 

JOSEPH CAPEN." 

It is probable that this Elegy was not received 
for some months after Mr. Foster's death, as we find 
appended to it the following note : — 

^' Mrs. Foster, — I am very Happy to have it in my 
power to Send you this Coppy. I have long intend- 
ed it, but want of leisure is the cause. That this 
may meet you and Children in Health is the wish ol 

A. Shores," 

The father of Mr. James Foster, Capt. Hopestill 
Foster, died October 15th, 1676. He was of great 
worth, and was extensively engaged in public affairs. 
On the 5th of January, 1702-3, Mrs. Foster, consort 
of Capt. Hopestill Foster, and the lady to whom the 



40 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON. 

two Elegies were presented, died at Dorchester, 
aged 83 years. From this couple there has descend- 
ed a large number of families, and one branch has 
resided in Mattapannock ever since the old Foster 
house was built. 

About the year 1700 there stood on the Mann es- 
tate, a wooden building occupied by Mr. James Fos- 
ter and his family, consisting of his wife and a negro 
girl. One Sabbath Mr. Foster repaired to Dorches- 
ter to attend meeting, and while he was absent, the 
dwelling by some means took fire. As there were 
few inhabitants in South Boston at that time, and as 
nearly all the males had gone to meeting, no efforts 
were made to save the house, and it was burnt down, 
together with all its contents. Mrs. Foster, anxious 
to save her husband's private papers, entered the 
house and succeeded in bringing out his desk, but 
unfortunately, in her haste, she let the treasure fall 
from her hands, and the papers were scattered by 
the wind. Mr. Foster, on his return at night, in 
place of his comfortable dwelling, found nothing but 
a heap of ruins. 



CHAPTER IV. 

FIRST SETTLERS OF MATTAPANXOCK. 

Mr. James Blake, who built the first house in Mat- 
tapannock, was born in England, in 1623. He was 
the son of William and Agnes, who were among the 
first settlers of Dorchester ; and, as we have before 
remarked, he built a dwelling-house in South Boston 
about the year 1660. However, as old age crept 



I^IRST SETTLERS OP^ MATTAPANNOCK. 41 

upon him^ his eldest son James took possession of 
the homestead, and the old gentleman lived with 
him. On the 28th of June, 1700, he died, aged 77 
years. In the ^' Annals " we find the following re- 
cord made of this event : — 

" 1700. This year, June 28th, Died Elder James 
Blake, aged 77 years. He was first a Deacon of 
y® Church in Dorchester about 11 years, & then a 
Ruling Elder of y*' same Church about 14 years, unto 
his death." In his will he left to his son James, 
" the house and land whereon he novf lives." This 
son married, on the 8th of July, 1684, Miss Ruth 
Batchelder as his second wife, and they had several 
children, the eldest son of whom was called James. 
In 1732 he died, after a long and painful sickness. 
Says the Annals : — 

" Oct. 22d, Died Deacon James Blake, in y« 81st 
year of his age, he having Languished about 7 years 
with an ulcerous Leg very painfull ; but at last died 
of an Epedemical Cold that then carried off many 
aged People. He was a Deacon in this Church 
about 23 years, and once Chosen Elder but refused 
it. Upon his Graue Stone is thus written : 

' Here lyes Buried y^ Body of 

Mr. James Blake, 

Who departed this Life Oct. 22d, 1732, 

aged 80 years & 2 months. 

^He was a member in full Communion with y^ Church 
of Christ in Dorchester aboue 55 years, and a 
Deacon of y^ Same Church aboue 35 years. 

* Seven years Strong Pain doth end at last, 
His weary Days and Nights are past ; 
The way is Rough, ye End is Peace ; 
Short Pain gives place to endless Ease.' " 
4* 



42 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON. 

At his death his son James purchased the rights 
of the other children to the old homestead, and be- 
came sole possessor of it. This man, born in Mat- 
tapannock, April 30, 1688, 0. S., was one of the 
most distinguished personages in Dorchester. He 
was for many years Town Clerk and Town Treasu- 
rer, and for several years the principal Selectman. 
All these offices he continued to fill till he was ren- 
dered incapable of active duty by sickness and in- 
firmity. He was first elected Selectman and Town 
Treasurer in 1724, and in 1725 he was also chosen 
Town Clerk. In 1749 he was prevented from at- 
tending the Town Meeting by sickness, and the citi- 
zens chose another person to the offices he had so 
long held. The following extract from the Annals 
shows what he thought of this deprivation of office : — 

" By Reason of my sickness I was forced to be 
absent from this last Anniversary Town-Meetii}g, 
which I had not been before (as I suppose) for 
y^ space of 30 years or more. And the Town left 
me out of all Publick business, after I had served 
them (I hope I may say faithfully according to my 
.ability), as a Town Treasurer, Selectman and Asses- 
sor, for y^ space of 25 Yeai^s successively, and as 
Town Clerk for y^ space of 24 Years successively; 
I having in that time wrote in the second Book of 
ye Town Records 208 pages which finished the Book ; 
and have begun the Third Book of Records, & wrote 
therein 119 pages; besides making Tables for both 
ye two first Books of Records, in an Intire Book by 
itself. I have also in the Treasurer's business made, 
begun and wrote out two large folio Books of Ac- 
compts, containing about 224 folios or 448 Pages 
€ach ; and the major part of the Third Folio Book 
of about y^ same bigness. Besides large Bundles of 



FIRST SETTLERS OF MATTAPANNOCK. 43 

Tax Lists, Tables to make Rates by, Warrants 
for Town Meetings, Divisions of y*^ Highways, Plans 
of Land sold by y^ Town, &g. All which is more 
(I suppose) by ina.ny times over than any one man 
before me has wrote & done for the Town. When I 
first came into y^ business I found many things in 
poor order ; but I set myself Industriously (accord- 
ing to my ability), to Reform and Methodize things 
in y^ best order I could. And though the Business 
was not Profitable, I spending a great deal of time 
& doing a great many things I was never paid for, 
especially in former years ; yet, since I spent the 
prime of my time in y*^ Town's service, w^hen I might 
have Imployed it more Profitably otherwise, and 
now am adva-nced in years, & so infirm and weakly 
as not to be able to do any other Business, to leave 
me out (not for any suggestion of male-administra- 
tion, but) only to help a young man to some Busi- 
ness, I cannot but look upon as ungratefull in y« Town ; 
and yet I would not Impute it to y*^ whole Town, 
the matter being carried chiefly (as I suppose) by a 
discontented Factious party." 

The young man to whom reference is here made, 
was Mr. Noah Clap, who held the offices of Town 
Treasurer and Town Clerk for many years. 

Mr. Blake was an excellent mathematician, and 
the most noted surveyor of his time. His plans 
were so accurate as to elicit universal praise, and 
during his life he surveyed several whole towns. He 
once made plans of every acre of land in Dorchester, 
and that when its territorial limits were much larger 
than at the present time. Many plans drawn by him 
are still in existence, and show by their elegant con- 
struction the hand of a master workman. The large 
book of plans of the whole of Dorchester, however, 



44 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

cannot be found. When last seen, it was produced 
in one of the Courts in Boston to prove certain 
claims, and so great was the reliance placed on it, 
that the case was decided without any further evi- 
dence. These plans would prove of inestimable 
value, could they be found, in settling land claims, 
and any reasonable price would be paid for them by 
the Dorchester Antiquarian and Historical Society. 
It is feared that they are destroyed, although they 
may at some future time be brought to light. Among 
the plans which have escaped the destroying hand of 
time, there are several projects of different parts of 
South Boston. There is not in ex:istence, however, 
to our knowledge, a complete map of Mattapannock 
made previous to 1776. 

But by far the most useful work of Mr. Blake, was 
the compiling of his celebrated "Annals of Dorches- 
ter." This work gives a minute history of the town 
for a period of one hundred and twenty years previ- 
ous to his death. It contains lists of the Town Of- 
ficers for nearly every year ; and many very inter- 
esting historical reminiscences, nowhere else to be 
found, are here preserved. The Annals were proba- 
bly written in South Boston, as the author resided 
in the Blake House at the Point during most of his 
life. To a Mattapannock man, and to a Mattapan- 
nock book, then, are we indebted for a work which 
was for many years the only authentic authority for 
the early accounts of the town of Dorchester, and 
even now it is considered by far the best history of 
the Town extant. It has been published in a neat 
form by the Dorchester Antiquarian and Historical 
Society, and is possessed by many of our citizens. 

Mr. James Blake died in the year 1750, in the 
63d year of his age. The following is the record 



DORCHESTER HEIGHTS. 45 

made of it by his son, and is appended to tlie "An- 
nals :"— 

" This Year Died Mr. James Blake, who wrote 
this Book thus far, on y^ 4th Day of December, be- 
tween 8 & 9 of y*^ clock in y*' Evening, in y® 63d year 
of his age : he had been in a very poor state of 
Health ever since his Relapse mentioned in y^ year 
1749. He was a very useful & serviceable man & 
often Imployed in y<^ Town & Proprietors' Business, 
& did a great deal for them, as may be seen by what 
he wrote himself in y® aforesaid year, 1749. He 
was much esteemed by men of Learning for his 
Learning & Piety." 

In 1752 his mother, Mrs. Ruth Blake, died, in the 
90th year of her age. She suffered from no disease, 
but died of old age. 

Li 1701, Blake says that "This jcar, July 26th, 
Abby Christian was drowned & Cast ashore upon 
the Dorchester Neck of Land." Of the circumstan- 
ces of the death of this person we know nothing. It 
is probable she was drowned in Old Harbor, and 
washed upon the beach in Mattapannock by the 
waves. 



CHAPTER Y. 

DORCHESTER HEIGHTS. REYOLUTIONARY EVENTS. 

In 1776 Mattapannock was made to perform a 
most important part in the successful termination of 
the struggles of the American Colonists in their ef- 
forts for freedom. The British had for months oc- 
cupied Boston; and although besieged by the Amer- 
ican army, they had become quite contented, open 



4'6 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

coiiimunicatioii v/itli England and other places, by 
water, supplying them -every needed demand. 

On the 22d of December, 1775, Congress, after a 
long and serious debate, passed a resolution author- 
izing Gen. Washington to attack the troops in the 
town of Boston, notwithstanding the town and pro- 
perty in it might be destroyed. Feeling, however, 
that with his present army he could not succeed in 
dislodging the British, the Commander-in-Chief call- 
ed for more troops and also for ammunition. These 
in February were granted, and Washington felt like 
immediately adopting decisive measures. As near 
as could be ascertained, the British army consisted 
of only about five thousand men, while that of the 
Americans was composed of more than seventeen 
thousand. About this time supplies arrived for the 
loyal army, and Gen. Howe soon thought himself se- 
cure in his strong-hold. He determined on evacuat- 
ing Boston, but intended to wait till he could make 
arrangements for a long voyage. The Americans, 
however, did not consult his wishes, and prepared to 
make an immediate attack on the town, being deter- 
mined to oblige the British to leave, cost what it 
might 

Dorchester Heights had long been considered as 
the most convenient point from which to dislodge 
the British. Situated near Boston, it had complete 
command of the town, and also of the whole harbor. 
Nature had apparently formed the hill in a manner 
to second the ends of the sons of Liberty, and it 
only remained for them to take possession. Ac- 
cordingly, as soon as Washington could strengthen 
his army sufficiently to warrant the undertaking, 
he made active preparations for erecting redoubts 
on Dorchester Heights. 



DORCHESTER HEIGHTS. 4T 

In a letter dated Cambridge, 26th Feb., 1776, and 
directed to the Council of Massachusetts Bay, Gene- 
ral Washington wrote : 

" I am making all possible preparation to take 
possession of the Heights of Dorchester, which I ex- 
pect I shall be able to accomplish by the latter end 
of this week, and it is believed that this, if any thing 
can, will bring the enemy out of Boston." 

In another letter, directed to John Reed, and 
bearing date, Cambridge, March 3, 1776, we find the 
following : — 

" I hope in a few nights to be in readiness to take 
post on Dorchester Point, as we are using every 
means in our power to provide materials for this 
purpose • the ground being so hard frozen yet, that 
we cannot intrench, and therefore are obliged to de- 
pend entirely upon chandeliers, fascines, and screwed 
liay for our redoubts. It is expected that this work 
will bring on an action between the king's troops 
and ours." 

It was felt to be a critical period, and every pre- 
caution was taken to strengthen the lines, and pre- 
pare for any repulse which the British might attempt 
to make. The following extract from the general 
orders, February 26, 1776, shows the care taken to 
prevent crime and cowardice : — 

"All officers, non-commissioned officers, and sol- 
diers, are positively forbid playing at cards, and oth- 
er games of chance. At this time of public distress, 
men may find enough to do in the service of their 
God and their country, without abandoning them- 
selves to vice and immorality." 

'^ As the time is now fast approaching when every 
man must expect to be drawn into the field of action, it 
is highly important that he should prepare his mind, 



48 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

as well as every thing necessary for it. It is a no- 
ble cause we are engaged in ; it is the cause of virtue 
and mankind. Every temporal advantage and com- 
fort to us and our posterity depends upon the vigor 
of our exertions ; in short, freedom or slavery must 
be the result of our conduct. There can, therefore, 
be no greater inducement to behave well. But it 
may not be amiss for the troops to know, that if any 
man in action shall presume to skulk, hide himself, 
or retreat from the enemy without the orders of his 
commanding officer, he will be instantly shot down 
as an example of cowardice ; cowards having too 
frequently disconcerted the best formed troops by 
their dastardly behavior." 

General Washington applied at two foundries for 
mortars, and succeeded in contracting for quite a 
number of thirteen-inch ones to be delivered immedi- 
ately. As the ground was frozen very hard, it was 
necessary to procure substitutes for dirt, and, accord- 
ingly, chandeliers, fascines and screwed hay in vast 
quantities were collected in the American camp. The 
fascines were an immense collection of white birch 
faggots, procured from the farm of Capt. John Ro- 
mans, in the upper part of Dorchester. Washington 
rode over this farm, and selected it as the most pro- 
per place for the labor on account of its obscurity. 
A lieutenant and thirty soldiers were delegated to 
cut the brush. Two thousand bandages were pre- 
pared to dress broken limbs, and forty-five bateaux, 
each capable of carrying eighty men, and two float- 
ing batteries, were collected in Charles River. The 
whole design, however, was kept a profound secret, 
and for three nights the Americans cannonaded Bos- 
ton from Cobble Hill, Lechmere Point, and Lamb's 
Dam. 



DORCHESTER HEIGHTS. 49 

"Washington was certain that the taking possession 
of Dorchester Heights would bring on a battle, and 
he intended to attack Boston at the sarae time on 
the Cambridge side. He wrote to Congress on the 
26th of Feb., and requested them to direct the towns 
in the vicinity to order the militia ^' to repair to the 
lines with their arms, ammunition, and accoutre- 
ments, instantly upon a signal being given." Accord* 
ingly, large numbers of troops came pouring into 
the camp, and every thing gave token of an approach- 
ing conflict. Four thousand chosen men were select- 
ed to attack Boston as soon as the attention of the 
British should be attracted to Dorchester Heiofhts.. 

On Monday night, March 4th, a severe cannonading 
on Boston was commenced by the Americans, and in 
return the British fired shot and shells into the camp 
at Cambridge. At about seven o'clock, two thou- 
sand men, under the command of General Thomas, 
marched across the causeway to Dorchester Heights.. 
A covering party of eight hundred led the way ; then 
followed the carts with the necessary intrenching 
tools ; then twelve hundred soldiers, under the im- 
mediate command of Gen. Thomas, and in the rear- 
followed three hundred carts loaded with fascines- 
and hay. The greatest silence was observed, no- 
one being permitted to speak above a whisper ; and 
at eight o'clock the party arrived on the Heights- 
and began operations. The covering party was di- 
vided, so that a portion were stationed at the points 
nearest Boston, and the remainder at the point near- 
est the Castle. As soon as the order w^as given to 
commence, the three hundred cartmen, under the spe- 
cial command of Mr. Goddard, of Brookline, began 
to transport the fascines to the hill, and in a very 
few hours the necessary quantity was on the ground. . 
5 



50 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON. 

Bundles of hay were arranged so as to protect the 
teams, and some of the drivers made three or more 
trips during the night. One of the teamsters, Mr. 
William Sumner^ made five trips before daylight. 
This gentleman, who died a feAV years since, said 
that he saw and recognized Gen. Washington riding 
towards the forts, accompanied by a few of his offi- 
cers. <!^^J2^, /X.,^>J,A^^--V 

The veteran Gridley, the engineer of Bunker Hill, 
was engineer on Dorchester Heights at this time. 

The occasion was one of intense interest and ex- 
citement. All the laborers exerted themselves to 
their utmost; and, as by magic, the fascines were set 
up with stakes like basket work,- and the interstices 
were filled with whatever was procurable. The 
moon shone brightly, and lent her light to aid in the 
completion of a work which was to prove of the 
greatest advantage to Boston, and help secure the 
salvation of America. The silence of the nig-ht was 
disturbed by the continual roaring of cannon, and the 
bursting of the British shells, which often exploded 
high in the air, and threw their fiery fragments in 
every direction. 

At about four o'clock, a party was sent to the hill 
to relieve those who had labored all night, and be- 
fore daylight two forts of sufficient strength to l)e a 
good defence against grape shot and small arms, 
were finished. As the sun rose above the horizon, 
it revealed to the British two fortifications which 
had no existence the evening before. The haze of 
morn only served to render the redoubt still more 
formidable, and with astonishment they gazed on the 
work which had so completely brought them into the 
power of their enemies. Gen. Howe, when he saw 
the forts, exclaimed, '' I know not what I shall do. 



DORCHESTER HEIGHTS. 51 

Tho rebels have done more in one ni<^lit than my 
whole army would liave done in a month." " It must 
have been the employment of at least twelve thou- 
sand men," he w^rote to Lord Dartmouth. It was 
immediately decided by the Admiral of the British 
fleet, that unless the Americans were dislodged, the 
vessels stationed in the harbor could not ride in safe- 
ty ; and it was also very evident that the troops in 
Boston were now in a precarious situation. There 
were but two alternatives. Either the town must 
be evaluated, or the Americans driven from the 
Heights. 

General Howe could not for a moment think of 
thus quietly yielding the possession of the town 
whose inhabitants had been the original cause of the 
war. Relying on the superior strength and disci- 
pline of his army, he immediately decided to attack 
the intrenchments, however great the hazard. 

He ordered twenty-four hundred men, under the 
command of Earl Percy, to repair to Castle William, 
and at night to assail the new works. These prepa- 
rations were seen by the Americans, and with fever- 
ish excitement they prepared for the contest. Gen. 
Washington felt it to be a moment of the greatest 
importance to the cause of liberty, and his soldiers, 
worked to the highest pitch of enthusiasm, were ea- 
ger for the battle. Thousands assembled upon the 
neighboring hills, expecting to see repeated the 
scenes of Bunker Hill. The American works were 
now very strong, and in order to render the passage 
up the hill, should it be attempted, still more difficult, 
a large number of barrels filled with stones and sand 
were placed on the brow of the hill. These were 
to be rolled down tho embankment as the columns 
were advancino-. It is said that one of these barrels 



52 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON. 

was sent down the hill in order to see how far it 
would roll, and in its course it cut off a larg-e elm 
tree at the root, and made an indenture a foot deep 
in another tree which was in its path. 

Washington, as he walked among his soldiers, ani- 
mated them by saying, ^^ Remember it is the 5th of 
March, and avenge the death of your brethren." 
Both the Americans and British were eager for the 
contest, and to all human foresight the fields of Mat- 
tapannock were to be drenched with the blood of the 
combatants. At 12 o'clock the loyal troops began 
to embark for the Castle, but soon a violent wind 
arose, and prevented the soldiers from reaching their 
place of destination. During the night the storm 
continued, and the rain poured in toi-rents. So grt at 
was the surf that an attempt to land must have prov- 
ed fatal. The next day the wind was very boister- 
ous, and the rain still continued. 

In the mean time the Americans were actively at 
work strengthening tlieir redoubt. At length Gene- 
ral Howe gave up his project to attack the new works, 
and recalled his troops to Boston. He felt that the 
fortifications were now too strong to give any pro- 
bable hope for a su^.cessful assault; and althou^'h he 
was well aware of the dishonor whii^h it would bring 
upon the British arms, still he concluded to evacuate 
the town rather than to have his army cut to pieces 
by the Americans. 

On the 7th of March, Gen. Howe called a council 
of his officers, and it was then determined that it 
was advisable to leave Boston. As may be supposed, 
the army wore surprised when they heard of this 
decision. To the Tories the news was astounding. 
They had been repeatedly informed that reinforce- 
ments sufficient tj protect tlie town would be furnish- 



REVOLUTIONARY EVENTS. 53 

cd by Parliament ; and therefore, when tlicy were 
told that the British army was to retire from ]>os- 
ton, they kneAV not which way to turn for protection. 
Many decided to underga a long voyage rather than 
to commit themselves to the wrath of the Whigs, 
and Gen. Howe provided vessels for their accommoda- 
tion. Others ventured to remain. 

Immediately the army in Boston beg-an to mako 
preparations to evacuate, 'i'he Tories, eager to save 
their personal property, used every exertion to have 
their goods, rather than the king's stores, placed in 
the vessels. The soldiers also fell to plundering the 
Iiouses, and stripped them of every valuable article. 
Gen. Howe issued orders against these outrages, 
and threatened with death any who should be found 
engaged in them; but yet they were continued, 
and nearly every house and shop was entered and 
robbed of its most valuable contents. Gen. Howe 
caused all the public stores which could not be taken, 
to be destroyed. Several sloops were sunk, and 
many of the cannon spiked, or thrown into the sea. 
The greatest anxiety was now felt for the safety of 
the town. A few weeks before, the Americans had 
determined to destroy Boston if it should be neces- 
sary in order to dislodge the British. But now the 
danger was from another source. General Howe 
threatened, that if his troops were assaulted while 
leaving the harbor, he would fire the city. With the 
design of averting if possible such a calamity, certain 
indirect communications were attempted. Washing- 
ton was anxious to save blood-shed so far as it was 
in accordance with the best welfare of the cause of 
freedom, and Howe was equally desirous of prevent- 
ing an engagement; and although there was no ex- 
press negotiation, yet there was a tacit understand- 
5-^ 



54 iiistohy of south boston. 

ing that the British were to leave the harbor unmo- 
lested. 

On the ninth of iMarch, Washington planted a bat- 
tery on Leak, and Bird's Hill, and another at the 
Point, with the design of annoying the fleet if found 
necessary. 

Nook's Hill, also, from its proximity to the cit}^, 
was an important position, and Washington decided 
to fortify it, with a view of bringing the British com- 
pletely under his power. Accordingly, on the same 
night, a detachment was sent to erect a battery upon 
it. The night was very severely cold and bluster- 
ing, and the soldiers, by some strange thoughtless- 
ness, built a fire. The British had greatly feared 
the occupancy of Nook's Hill, and guided by the 
light, they commenced a severe cannonading upon 
the fortifying party, from the Grreen Store Battery, 
near the present corner of Washington and Dover 
streets. Four soldiers and a regimental surgeon 
named Dole were killed, and the troops were obliged 
to suspend operations and retreat. These were the 
only persons who lost their lives during all the mili- 
tary operations at Mattapannock. 

The cannonade was a signal for a general discharge 
of cannon and mortars from the American batteries, 
and all night there was a continuous roar of artille- 
ry, no less than eight hundred shot being fired. The, 
scene was one of terrific grandeur. The-whole sky 
was lighted up as the cannon belched forth their 
fiery columns of sulphurous flame. 

The people of Boston, to whom had been commu- 
nicated the design of Howe to evacuate, were terror- 
stricken at the prospect that the town would be 
destroyed. Mrs. Adams in her Letters refers to 
this night's cannonading in the following manner : — 



REVOLUTIONARY EVENTS. 55 

"Sunday evening', ]\Iarcli 10. — A most terrible and 
incessant cannonade from half after eight until six this 
morning. I hear -we have lost four men killed and 
some wounded, in attempting to take the hill nearest 
the town, called Nook's Hill. We did some work, 
but fire from the ships beat off our men, so that they 
did not secure it, but retired to the fort upon the 
other hill." 

The next week was one of great anxiety to both 
parties. In Boston, preparations were being made 
to evacuate, not only by the soldiers, but by Tory 
citizens. In the American camp there was much 
disquietude. The designs of liov\^e could not bo 
ascertained, and his moderation in preparing to va- 
cate the town made the besiegers very impatient. 
With the enemy wholly in their control, they de- 
sired, if possible, to save Boston from destruction. 
Washington feared the British General might be de- 
ceiving him, and that the arrival of additional troops 
and vessels, which were hourly expected, might 
change the aspect of affairs, and it was decided in a 
council of war, held on the 14th, at General Waid's 
head quarters in Roxbury, that if Boston was not 
evacuated on the next day. Nook's Hill should be 
fortified " at all events." 

On Friday, the 15th, the troops in Boston were 
paraded, preparatory to taking their departure, 
the inhabitants of the town being ordered, by 
proclamation of the crier, not to leave their houses 
from 11 o'clock, A. M., till night. But a strong east- 
erly wind suddenly sprung up, and the soldiers 
returned to their barracks. On the next day, as we 
learn from a manuscript journal kept by a gentleman 
who continued in Boston during its occupancy by the 
British, " The wind continued cast, and the troops 



56 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON. 

indulged ill great mischief by breaking open stores, 
and tossing the contents (being private property) 
into the dock, destroying the furniture of every 
house they could get into, and otherwise committing 
every kind of wantonness which disappointed malice 
could suggest." 

Washington had, of course, no knowledge of the 
outrages which the British were committing. He 
however had no idea of allowing them to remain un- 
molested any longer, let the wind be as it might. 
He determined, therefore, to bring matters to a cri- 
sis, and this end he thought could be best attained 
by completing the fortifications commenced on Nook's 
Hill, whatever opposition might be made. A large 
detachment of soldiers was ordered on Saturday 
night, March 16th, to take possession of the emi- 
nence, and erect thereon such forts as would place 
the enemy in so perilous a position that they must 
cither retreat or be entirely destroyed. Operations 
were accordingly commenced in the evening. 

The British discovered the movement, and com- 
menced a severe cannonade. Nothing daunted, the 
Americans kept steadily at work, and erected a sub- 
stantial fort upon the hill. The new Lawrence 
School-House on B street now marks the precise spot 
where the embankments were thrown up, the hill 
then being some forty or fifty feet higher than the 
present level of the street. 

The British found, to their dismay, when day 
broke, that a strong fortification had been erected 
so near the city that they could not remain with 
safety another day. Says Gordon, in his History of 
the American War, published in London, " A breast- 
work was discovered this morning (March 17, 1776) 
to be thrown up by the Americans at Nook's Hill, 



REVOLUTIONARY EVENTS. 57 

on Dorchester peninsula, wliicli, from its proximity, 
had entire command of J3oston Neck and the south 
end of tlie town — a work which the king's troops 
had most fearfully dreaded. In consequence of it, 
they began to embark at four o'clock in the moriiing. 
and were all on board and under sail before ten. 
What so hastened tlie British upon the sight of the 
works on Nook's Hill, was probably an apprehen- 
sion tliat the Americans would possess themselves 
of Noddle's Island, and by erecting batteries at both 
places, enclose the harbor with the fire of their 
cannon." 

So early in the morning did General Tlowe com- 
mence tlie embarkation of his army, tliat at nine 
o'clock a large number of troops and inhaliitants left 
the wharves of Boston. No sooner was this observed 
in the American canp, than General Ward Vv-ith 
about five hundred men marched in over the Neck, 
opened the gates of the town, and entered Boston 
just as the last remnant of that army, which had been 
a scourge to the metropolis of New England for 
eleven months, dropped down the harbor. With 
drums beating, and flags unfurled, the victorious 
troops marched triumpliantly through the streets, 
greeted on all sides by the inhabitants of the town 
who so long had suffered the insults and reproaches 
of an insolent soldiei-y. 

The following anecdote, connected with Dorchester 
Heights, is related. On the night of the proposed 
attack on the fortifications by the British, the senti- 
nels stationed at the foot of the hill, overcome by fa- 
tigue, and anxious to escape from the severe storm 
which raged at the time, took shelter under a pile of 
boards, and were soon sound asleep. A waggish 
soldier at the top, wlio by some means ascertained tho 



58 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON. 

wj3r3a'jout3 of tlio fileepsrs, S3t in motion one of tlio 
barrels filled with stones, directing it in such a way 
as to strike the boards. With a tremendous impetus 
it daslied down the steep declivit}^, and met in its 
course the pile of lumber. As may be sup])0sed, 
the boards flew in all directions, and the sentinels, 
frightened out of their wits, and supposing that the 
enemy were making an attack, fired their guns and 
aroused the camp. After considerable alarm, the 
Americans discovered the cause of the firing, and re- 
turned to their quarters for the night. 

As soon as Boston was evacuated, the greater part 
of the American army was ordered to New York, as 
it vv*as supposed that the loyalists would attempt to 
gain that important post. One regiment only was 
left on Dorchester Heights. These soldiers resided 
in a building erected at the foot of the forts, near G 
street. 

The inhabitants of Boston, as soon as the town 
was evacuated by the enemy, returned to their 
homes. Mechanics were again at work, the stores 
were opened, and public worship was resumed. The 
schools also were again opened, and the scholars, 
after a long vacation, returned to their accustomed 
studies. 

On the same Sabbath that the British left Boston, 
Rev. ^Ir. Leonard preached a sermon appropriate . 
to the occasion. The following extract, relating to 
this S-nnnon, is from the '• Ncav England Chronicle 
and the Essex Gazette," of Wednesday, March 20,' 
1776; a newspaper published at that time in Cam- 
bridge, by Samuel Hall, but formerly issued from 
Boston : — 

'- Last Sabbath, a few hours after the enemy retreat- 
ed from Boston, the Rev. Mr. Leomird preached an 



REVOLUTIONARY EVENTS. 50 

excellent sermon, in the audience of His Excellency 
the General, and others of distinction, well adapt- 
ed to the interesting event of the day, from tliesc 
words in Exodus 14: 25 : — ' So that the Egypiians 
said. Let us flee from the face of Israel ; for the Lord 
f\.ghtelh for them against the Egyptians.' " 

The news of the evacuation of Boston excited the 
greatest joy in the colonies, and it was everywhere 
received as a prestige of the future success of the 
Americans in the cause which they had so gallantly 
espoused. Congratulations were sent to Washing- 
ton from all directions. 

The Selectmen of Boston waited on the General, 
and in behalf of their constituents, presented to him 
the following address : — 

" May it please your Excellency — 

" The Selectmen of Boston, in behalf of them- 
selves and fellow citizens, with all grateful respect, 
congratulate your Excellency on the success of your 
military operations, in the recovery of this town 
from an enemy, collected from the once respected 
Britons, who, in this instance, are characterized by 
malice and fraud, rapine and plunder, in every trace 
left behind them. 

" Happy are we that this acquisition has been made 
with so little effusion of human blood, which, next to 
the Divine favor, permit us to ascribe to your Excel- 
lency's wisdom, evinced in every part of the long 
besiegement. 

'^ If it be possible to enhance the noble feelings of 
that person, who, from the most affluent enjoyments, 
could throw himself into the hardships of a cam- 
paign to save his country, uncertain of success, 'tis 
then possible this victory will heighten your Excel- 
lency's happiness, when you consider you have not 



60 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON. 

only saved a large, elegant and once populous city 
from t'.tal destruction, but relieved the few wretched 
inhabitants from all the horrors of a besieged town, 
from the insults and abuses of a disgraced and cha- 
grined army, and restored many inhabitants to their 
quiet habitations who had fled for safety to the bo- 
som of their country. 

" May your Excellency live to see the just rights 
of America settled on a firm basis, which felicity we 
sincerely wish you ; and, at a late period, may that 
felicity be changed into happiness eternal." 

To this address Washington made the following 
reply : — 

" To the Selectmen and Citizens of Boston. 

" Gentlemen — Your congratulations on the suc- 
cess of the American arms gives me the greatest 
pleasure. I most sincerely rejoice with you on being 
once more in possession of your former habitations ; 
and, what greatly adds to my happiness, is that this 
desirable event has been efi"ected with so little effu- 
sion of human blood. 

" I am exceedingly obliged by the good opinion 
you are pleased to entertain of my conduct. Your 
virtuous efforts in the cause of freedom, and the un- 
paralleled fortitude with which you have sustained 
the greatest of all human calamities, justly entitle 
you to the grateful remembrance of your American 
brethren ; and I heartily pvnj that the hand of ty- 
ranny may never more disturb your repose, and that 
every blessing of a kind Providence may give happi- 
ness and prosperity to the town of Boston." 

A joint committee from the Council and House of 
Representatives of Massachusetts, also presented 
him with an address expressive of their thanks, for 
the great services he had rendered the country, and 



REVOLUTIONARY EVENTS. 61 

informing him of their respect and attachment. To 
this the General made a reply^ in which he congratu- 
lated them on the recent evacuation of their metro- 
polis, adding that he had only done his duty, and 
"wished for no other reward than that arising 
from a conscientious discharge of his important trust, 
and that his services might contribute to the estab- 
lishment of freedom and peace, upon a permanent 
foundation, and merit the applause of his country- 
men and every virtuous citizen." 

As soon as Congress received the intelligence of 
the evacuation of Boston, on motion of John Adams 
a vote of thanks to Washington and his officers and 
soldiers was passed, and a gold medal was ordered 
to be struck and given to the General. John Adams, 
John Jay and Stephen Hopkins were also chosen to 
prepare a letter of thanks, of which the following is 
a copy : — 

"Philadelphia, April 2, 1776. 

" Sir, — It gives me the most sensible pleasure to 
convey to you, by order of Congress, the only tribute 
which a free people will ever consent to pay — the 
tribute of thanks and gratitude to their friends and 
benefactors. 

" The disinterested and patriotic principles which 
led you to the field have also led you to glory; and 
it affords no little consolation to your countrymen 
to reflect that, as a peculiar greatness of mind in- 
duced you to decline any compensation for serving 
them, except the pleasure of promoting their happi- 
ness, they may without your permission bestow upon 
you the largest share of their affection and esteem. 

"Those pages in the annals of America will re- 
cord your title to a conspicuous place in the temple 
of fame, which shall inform posterity that, under your- 
6 



62 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTO^^ 

direction, an undisciplined band of '"^«^»J°^;"> 
the course of a few montlis, became soldieis, ana 
St the desolation meditated agai-t the country by 
a brave army of veterans, commanded by the most 
experienced generals, but employed by bad men m 
the'worst of causes, was by the fortitude of yo^ 
troops, and the address of their officers, next o the 
kind interposition of Providence, confined foi ^^ai a 
year within such narrow limits as scarcely to admit 
mo^^ room than was necessary for the encampments 
and fortifications they lately abandoned. 

"Accept, therefore, sir, the thanks of the Umtett 
Colonies unanimously declared by their delegates to 
be due to Jon, and the brave officers and troops under 
youi command; and be pleased to communicate to 
them this distinguished mark of the approbation of 

*'fThrCongress have ordered a gold medal, adapt- 
ed to the occasion, to be struck, and, when famshed, 

''':^!K::t:Vo:olZ\e, with every sentiment of 
esteem, Sir, your most obedient and very humble 
servant, ^^^^ Hancock, President. 

To His Excellency, ) m 

General Washington." J 

To this message General Washington returned 
the following answer:— -no me 

"New York, April 18, mb. 

.-Sir -Permit me, through, you, to convey to the 
honorable Congress the sentiments of gratitude I 
Feelfor the high honor they have done me in the 
publi mark of Approbation contained m your favor 
of the 2d instant, which came to hand last night. I 



REVOLUTIONARY EVENTS. 63 

beg* to assure them that it will ever be my highest 
ambition to approve myself a faithful servant of the 
public ; and that, to be in any degree instrumental 
in procuring to my American brethren a restitution 
of their just rights and privileges^ will constitute my 
chief happiness. 

'• Agreeably to your request, I have communicated, 
in general orders, to the of&cers and soldiers under 
my command, the thanks of Congress for their good 
behavior in the service ; and am happy in having such 
an opportunity of doing justice to their merit. They 
were indeed, at first, ' a band of undisciplined hus- 
bandmen;' but it is (under God) to their bravery 
and attention to their duty that I am indebted for 
that success which has procured me the only reward 
I wish to receive — the affection and esteem of my 
countrymen. 

" The medal, intended to be presented to me by 
your honorable body, I shall carefully preserve as a 
memorial of their regard. 

" I beg leave to return you, Sir, my warmest 
thanks for the polite manner in which you have been 
pleased to express their sentiments of my conduct ; 
and am, with sincere esteem and respect, Sir, yours 
and their most obedient and most humble servant, 

Georoe Washington. 

To John Hancock, ) 
President of Congress." 5 

The medal was struck in Paris, from a die cut by 
Duvivier. On the obverse was a head of Washing- 
ton in profile, and around it the following inscrip- 
tion : — 

^' GEORGIO WASHINGTON SVPREMO DVCI EXERCITVVM 
ADSERTORI LIBERTATIS COMITIA AMERICANA." 



64 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

On the reverse is the town of Boston in the dis- 
tance, with a fleet in view, under sail. Washington 
and his ofiicers are on horseback in the fore-ground, 
and he is pointing to the ships as they depart from 
the harbor. The inscription is, 

"HOSTIBVS PRIMO PVGATIS BOSTONIVM RECVPERATVM 
XVII MARTH MDCCLXXVI." 

As may be supposed, the news of the evacuation 
of Boston excited the greatest surprise in England. 
The Parliament saw with the deepest mortification 
the dishonor of the British arms, and there were 
spirited debates on the subject. General Howe's 
conduct was severely criticised, and the periodicals 
of the day were filled with comments on the loss of 
Boston. The chief point of complaint against Gen- 
eral Howe was his long neglect of Dorchester 
Heights, which he intended to fortify some months 
before. Said a writer in an English paper, " Now 
I beg leave to ask Sir William Howe whether Bos- 
ton was tenable or not ? He had indeed staked his 
reputation as a general on the affirmative. If it was 
not, how could he, or his favorite engineer, overlook 
this (Dorchester) post? Could they suppose that 
the rebels, who, before winter, had made regular 
approaches to the foot of this hill, would fail, as 
soon as the season opened, to occupy the top of it ? 
Why was not a post established there, as at Bunker 
Hill?"' 

The works erected on Dorchester Heights were 
built with much skill, and clearly showed that though 
the workmen were mere yeomen, still they were 
commanded by officers worthy of the important sta- 
tion ihoy occupied. It has been truly remarked that 
" nothing but the enthusiasm of liberty could have 



REVOLUTIONARY EVENTS. 65 

enabled the men of America to have constructed such 
works. In history they are equalled only by the 
lines and forts raised by Julius Caesar to surround 
the army of Pompey." May the inhabitants of Mat- 
tapannock ever remember, with pride, that to the 
erection of the forts upon the heights which tower 
above us, we are in a great measure indebted for our 
liberty, our free institutions and our many privi- 
leges. May we strive to be worthy of the spot which 
is so celebrated in the history of our beloved Repub- 
lic, and so long as the Mount shall bear the name of 
him who was " first in war, first in peace, and first in 
the hearts of his countrymen," may we stand fast by 
that Constitution and those privileges which were 
bequeathed us by our fathers. 

During the siege of Boston, the inhabitants of 
Mattapannock, from their proximity to the enemy, 
were in constant dread of being attacked. On the 
19th of April, the day of the battle of Lexington, 
the South Bostonians were so fearful lest the British 
should reek their vengeance on the peninsula, that 
they all removed to Dorchester. Soon, however, 
the greater part returned to their residences, and 
although they were often in danger of being killed 
by the shells thrown from the Castle, yet for several 
months they received no material injury. An aged 
lady, a descendant of Mr. Foster, from whom much 
valuable information in regard to the early history 
of South Boston has been derived, when asked if 
there were any Tories residing in Mattapannock, 
replied, with great energy, ^^ No, every one here was 
ready to fight till he died." It is said, however, that 
a Mr. Pratt, who lived with Mrs. Foster, and aided 
in tilling her farm, thought it a great waste to have 
a whole cargo of tea lost j and accordingly, when 
6-^ 



66 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

Boston Harbor was made a Tea Pot b}^ the patriotic 
Bostonians, he actually went down to the sea-shore, 
recovered a quantity of tea from the water, and hid it 
in Mrs. Foster's barn. He never used it, however, as 
his mistress was too much of a Whig to drink any of 
the contraband beveraQ:e. 

In the latter part of the year 1775, Deacon James 
Blake, who resided at the extreme Point, became 
fearful lest he should receive injury from the British 
soldiers stationed at the Castle, who were in the 
habit of visiting Mattapannock. Several times his 
family were grossly insulted, and at last he was forced 
to remove to Dorchester, leaving his house and barn 
to the mercy of the enemy. One day the old gentle- 
man saw the red-coats point their cannon towards 
the Neck, and thinking they were about to practise 
a little, he sent his eldest son to take the glass win- 
dows out of the homestead, as there was great dan- 
ger that they would be broken by the concussion. 
The young man immediately mounted his horse, and 
was soon busily engaged in obeying his father's com- 
mand, when a cannon-ball passed directly through 
the window on which he was at work, and lodged in 
rthe back-wall of the house. Fortunately he was 
stooping to reach something on the floor at the time, 
and hence escaped with his life. Soon another ball 
came whizzing by the house, and passed very near 
the horse, which stood tied to a tree about a rod 
from the homestead. The young man then thought 
that the British were becoming rather social, and 
leaving the windows to their fate, he sprung upon 
his horse, and hastened with all speed to Dorchester. 

Soon after this, a party of soldiers visited the 
Point, and placing a tar-barrel near Mr. Blake's 
dwelling, set fire to it, and the house was totally 



FURTHER SETTLEMENT. 67 

destroyed. The barn was also consumed. The 
blaze was seen by Mr. Blake, at Dorchester, but he 
could do nothing to save his pro^jerty. 

In the early part of the year 1776, the weather 
was very cold, and the harbor was frozen over. The 
ice was quite thick, and improving the opportunity, 
on the night of the thirteenth of February, about five 
hundred grenadiers and light infantry crossed over 
to Mattapannock with the design of surprising the 
American guard, consisting of seventy men. They 
nearly succeeded in their design, but the guard man- 
aged to escape. Not wishing to return without some 
exploit, they set fire to several of the houses on the 
Neck, made prisoners of two persons, and then re- 
turned. A detachment of Americans was sent to 
attack them, but the red-coats escaped unharmed. 
Among the houses destroyed was the princely resi- 
dence of Mrs. Foster, situated imder the two old 
elms. This conflagration was perhaps one of the 
most dastardly acts committed during the war, as 
the inhabitants of Mattapannock were very inoffen- 
sive, making no attempts even to preserve their 
property from the enemy. 



CHAPTER YI. 

FURTHER SETTLEMENT OF MATTAPANNOCK. 

Op the history of Mattapannock from the year 
1776 till 1804, we know but little. It is plain that 
during this period the number of families residing 
on the peninsula was not increased. There were 
few inducements to attract persons to select that 



68 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

part of Dorchester for a residence, as the church and 
town school were situated at some distance, and at 
high tide it was very difficult to pass the causeway. 
An old gentleman who resided in Mattapannock at 
that period, informed us, in a late conversation, that 
he had often heard his father say, " We must rise 
early Sunday morning, or the water will prevent us 
from crossing the causeway." Often, he added, have 
we started by sunrise on a winter morning, and been 
obliged to sit in a cold church all day. At that time, 
as is well known, the meeting-houses were not 
warmed, and our ancestors were often obliged to 
perform their devotions with frost-bitten feet and 
chattering teeth. 

As we have before remarked, the Town of Dor- 
chester kept possession of a portion of the land at 
the Point. This land was called the Town Pasture, 
and in 1775 we find the following order passed in 
regard to it : — 

"At a legal meeting of the freeholders of Dor- 
chester, held Nov. 24, 1775, it was 

u Yoted,— To Sell the Wood off of the Town's 
Pasture at Dorchester Neck." At a later period of 
the meeting it was 

" Voted, — That the above vote be so far reconsid- 
ered as that one or two trees be reserved for shade." 

" Yoted, — That Mr. Thomas Moseley sell S^ Wood, 
and return the money into the Town Treasury." 

From the following extract from the Town Re- 
cords we are led to conclude that for more than one 
hundred and fifty years Mattapannock was used as a 
pasture by the inhabitants of Dorchester. Indeed, 
until within the last quarter of a century many acres 
of the peninsula were devoted to this purpose. 

*^ At a meeting of the freeholders of Dorchester, 
held June 5, 1776, it was 



FURTHER SETTLEMENT. 69 

" Voted, — That the Income of the Common Land 
at Powow Point this year be allowed towards main- 
taining a gate across the way leading on to Dorches- 
ter Neck." 

The greatest sconrge which in those days visited 
the colonies of New England was the small-pox, and 
Boston and the towns in its vicinity were particu- 
larly afflicted. In 1702, 313 persons died of this 
disease in Boston; and in 1721, 5,729 persons — 
half of the number of inhabitants — had the small- 
pox, and 844 died. About this time Dr. Zab^iel 
Boylston, a distinguished physician of Boston, dared 
to inoculate with the small-pox three of his house- 
hold. By this means the violence of the disease was 
much abated. The experiment, however, excited 
the greatest opposition both on the part of the medi- 
cal faculty and the public. In due time, however, 
the benefits of inoculation were appreciated, and 
thousands voluntarily contracted the disease by this 
method. But it was found necessary to separate 
those who were inoculated from the healthy portion 
of the community. Accordingly, hospitals were 
opened in the different towns, and to these places 
all resorted who desired to have the small-pox. No 
one was allowed to approach these places, though 
generally those who were inoculated did not suffer 
much from the disease. In 1792, one of these hos- 
pitals was established at Dorchester Neck, and 
thither were sent all the small-pox patients of Dor- 
chester. The following vote we find in the Town 
Records : — 

"Nov. 2d, 1792. Voted,— That Doctor Phinehas 
Holden have Liberty for a Hospital at Dorchester 
Neck. 

" Voted, — That the House of Mr. Jonathan Bird 



70 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON, 

tertiuS; at Dorchester Neck, be used as a Hospital 
for Inoculating for the Small-Pox." 

Previous to the year 1796, the passage between 
South Boston and Boston was passable to shipping 
craft only at high tide. On the 26th of February, 
1796, however, an act was passed by the Legislature, 
incorporating John Lowell, Esq., Increase Sumner, 
Esq., Thomas Williams, Physician, John Reed, Esq., 
and Mr. Thomas "Williams, Jr., into a company to 
dig and clear a channel to Roxbury. It was called 
the Roxbury Canal, and was of the greatest advantage 
to the inhaJntants of that town. In process of years, 
the tide has washed away the land on each side, till 
it is now a wide opening. 

In 1801 occurred the only duel which was ever 
fought in Mattapannock. It was a bright Sabbath 
morning in June, just at break of day, that several 
men were seen passing through South Boston to- 
wards the Point. As it was common for persons 
who resided in Boston to visit the peninsula on 
Sunday for recreation, little was thought of the mat- 
ter. Arriving nea.r the present position of Alger's 
Gun Yard, at the Point, they appeared to be for 
some minutes in consultation, and then two of the 
men were seen to measure off the ground. This at- 
tracted no particular attention, as it was supposed 
that the party were to engage in a game of quoits. 
Soon, however, the report of a pistol was heard, and 
soon after another broke upon the stillness of the 
morning. No alarm was excited by these reports, 
as it was thought the men might be firing at a target. 
Soon, however, a portion of the party were seen 
hastening away, while at the same time the remain- 
der slowly bore along the insensible bleeding body 
of one of their company. He was taken into the 



FURTHER SETTLEMENT. 71 

house of Mr. Blake, and every thing done to save 
his life, but he died in a few minutes. 

It appeared that two men, named Rand and Miller, 
fell into a dispute, and determined to settle the mat- 
ter by a duel. Accordingly, they proceeded to the 
Point, accompanied by their seconds and several of 
their friends, to seek satisfaction for their wounded 
honor. Rand had his first shot, and, although Miller 
was a very portly man, did not hit his adversary. 
Miller's turn then came, but feeling assured that he 
should kill Rand, he attempted to settle the dispute. 
But no. Rand must have satisfaction, and Miller fired. 
Rand fell, and Miller fled to New York, where he 
amassed an immense fortune, and died a few years 
since. 

This occniTeuce, as it may be supposed, produced 
great excitement among the people of Dorchester 
Neck. To have a man killed in their midst on Sun- 
day morning seemed a dreadful thing, and indeed 
must have struck all with horror. Mrs. Blake, into 
whose house the deceased was taken, is still alive^ 
and recollects distinctly the events of that morning. 

As Boston and Dorchester were wholly discon- 
nected by land, the passage to and from the former 
place by our citizens was either in boats or around 
through Roxbury. On the evening of December 24th, 
1803, a most distressing accident occurred between 
the two places. Three young men, James Pike, aged 
28 years, David Williams, Jr., aged 20 years, and 
Moses Whitney, aged 17 years, while returning from 
Boston to their residences on Dorchester Neck, in a 
small boat, were upset, and all drowned. Mr. Whit- 
ney's father had accompanied the three young men 
to Boston, and intended returning with them, but ar- 
rived at the wharf just after they had pushed off, and 



72 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

was obliged to go round by land. But for tliis mo- 
ment's tardiness, he must have shared the fate of the 
others. The friends of the deceased waited in sus- 
pense till the morning, when the hat of one of the 
young men was found on the beach. Their bodies 
were shortly after recovered, and the funeral obse- 
quies were performed in the church, where a large 
concourse of people were assembled. An appropri- 
ate dirge was sung by the choir, and a very solemn 
address made by Rev. Thaddeus M. Harris, who had 
then been Pastor of the church in Dorchester for 
about ten years. 



CHAPTER YIL 

ANNEXATION TO BOSTON. 

In the latter part of the year 1803, a number of 
distinguished citizens of Boston, among whom were 
William Tudor, Gardiner G-reen, Jonathan Mason, 
and Harrison Gray Otis, with an impression, which 
time has shown was well founded, that Boston was 
destined to be one of the most important commercial 
emporiums in America, and that it was not of sufi&- 
cient size to accommodate the business of the place, 
bought a large number of acres of land on Dorchester 
Neck. It is said that they were advised to make 
this purchase by Joseph Woodward, a native of 
Tewksbury, who selected Mattapannock as being 
land most easily annexed to Boston ; and in order to 
render it accessible, it was proposed to build a 
bridge. In the early part of the year 1804, a peti- 
tion was presented to the Town of Boston, by the 



ANNEXATION TO BOSTON. 73 

proprietors of lands at said Neck, for its consent to 
the annexation of that tract of land to the Town. 
This petition was referred to a large committee 
chosen to consider on what conditions the annexation 
should be made. 

The committee subsequently reported several con- 
ditions, and the freeholders of the Town of Boston 
were called together to consult on the matter. On 
the 17th of January, it was 

^' Voted, — That the Town will consent that the 
Lands on Dorchester Neck, agreeably to the Petition 
of the Owners, shall be annexed to and incorporated 
with the Town of Boston, provided it can be done 
on such conditions as the Town shall hereafter agree 
to." 

Another 'meeting was called on the 30th of Janu- 
ary, and so great was the excitement that no busi- 
ness could be transacted. The greater part of the 
day was spent in angry debates, and at last it was 
deemed advisable to adjourn the meeting till the 
next day, when it was hoped a better state of feel- 
ing might exist. This was done, and at the adjourned 
meeting it was decided that if the Neck was an- 
nexed, 

" The Proprietors of the land to be annexed shall ' 
consent that the Selectmen of the Town of Boston 
shall immediately lay out such Streets, Public Squares 
and Market Places as they shall judge necessary for 
the public accommodation, without any compensation 
for the land so appropriated." 

On the twenty-fifth day of February, at a meeting 
of the Selectmen of the Town of Boston, 

" The Chairman was directed to apply to the Sen- 
ators of the County and the Kepresentatives of the 
Town, to inform them that the Board think it im- 
7 



74 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

portant that a clause should be inserted in the Bill 
now under the consideration of the Legislature for 
annexing Dorchester Point to the Town; that the 
Streets, Market Places and Public Squares shall be 
laid out by the Selectmen, or a Committee chosen 
by the Town, without any compensation in money 
being required by the Proprietors for the land taken 
for such purposes." 

In the mean time the petitioners were making the 
most strenuous efforts to effect the passage of the 
bill. They had bought a large number of acres at 
Mattapannock at a very cheap rate, and they were 
convinced that if the bill should pass, the property 
would immediately rise in. value. It was also con- 
sidered highly important to the Town of Boston that 
this Neck should be annexed, as it was then supposed 
the peninsula itself could not contain many more in- 
habitants. 

The inhabitants of Dorchester, however, were very 
much opposed to the change. They considered Mat- 
tapannock as belonging to them, and were deter- 
mined to retain their property if possible. 

At a meeting of the freeholders and other inhabi- 
tants of the Town of Dorchester, qualified by law to 
vote in town affairs, held January 23, 1804, of which 
Moses Everett, Esq., was chosen Moderator, it was 

" Voted, — That the Town have no Objection to a 
Bridge being Erected from Dorchester to Boston. 

" Voted, — To remonstrate against Dorchester Neck 
being set off and annexed to the Town of Boston. 

" Voted, — To Choose a Committee to Remonstrate 
to the General Court against Dorchester Neck being 
set off and annexed to the Town of Boston. 

" Voted, — that S*^ Committee consist of Nine per- 
sons : — Ebenezer Wales, Esq., Stephen Badlam, Esq., 



ANNEXATION TO BOSTON. 75 

John Howe, Esq., Mr. Samuel "VVitliington, Major 
.James Robinson, with Ebenezer Tolman, Mr. Lemuel 
Crane, Mr. Thomas Moseley, Mr. Edward W. Baxter, 
the present Selectmen. 

" Voted, — That the above Committee be requested 
to attend to all matters and things for the Interest 
of the Town of Dorchester, as it relates to the Peti- 
tion of Wm. Tudor, Esq., and others, praying that 
the Lands on Dorchester Neck may be annexed to 
and incorporated with the Town of Boston." 

This committee immediately prepared to oppose 
the passage of the Bill, and drew up a strong remon- 
strance (See Appendix A), which was presented to 
the General Court. 

A memorial was presented to the Selectmen of Bos- 
ton by those in favor of the movement. (See Ap- 
pendix B.) 

At a town meeting held Feb. 16th, 1804, the com- 
mittee appointed to draw up the remonstrance 
against annexation, reported as follows : — 

" Pursuant to a Vote of the Town of Dorchester 
on the 23d of January last. Your Committee have 
attended to the business assigned them, and have 
preferred to the Honorable Legislature a Written 
Remonstrance to prevent that part of this Town 
called the Neck from being set off to the Town of 
Boston as prayed for in a Petition of William Tudor, 
Esq., and others ; and notwithstanding your Commit- 
tee have opposed the same in every stage of the 
business, a Report is made in favor thereof by a 
Joint Committee of both Houses, without any com- 
pensation being allowed for it to the Town of Dor- 
chester ; and your Committee not feeling themselves 
authorized to proceed any further in a business so 
highly important, considered it expedient that the 



76 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON. 

Town be called togotlier, and are ready to give all 
the Information they have obtained on the subject. 

Eben'r Wales, 
In behalf of the Committee." 

This Report was accepted, and a verbal report 
was then made by one of the Committee, in which it 
was stated that the sum of $6,000 might be obtained, 
provided the Town would oppose the Petitioners no 
farther. 

It is probable that the Town would have accepted 
this sum, and made no more opposition ; indeed, 
they had nearly decided on this measure, when John 
Howe, Esq., an influential citizen of Dorchester, 
arose, and with great emphasis called on the town to 
retract, and make no agreement by which they were 
to lose the most valuable portion of their territory. 
He was certain that the Legislature would not grant 
leave to annex Dorchester Neck to Boston, provided 
the citizens of Dorchester were opposed to it. 

This speech had great influence over the assembly, 
and as soon as he sat down, it was moved and 

" Voted, — Not to accept the 6000 Dollars on the 
conditions they are offered. 

" Voted, — That the Selectmen be a Committee 
to attend to the Petition of William Tudor, Esq., 
and others, now pending before the General Court, 
and that they act in all Matters according to their 
Discretion for the Interest of the Town." 

A motion was made to withdraw the Remonstrance, 
but it was 

"Voted, — Not to withdraw said Remonstrance." 

Subsequently, the petitioners, through Harrison 
Gray Otis, offered $20,000 to the Town of Dorches- 
ter provided they would not oppose the bill. This 
offer was rejected, and every effort was made to pre- 
vent its passage. 



ANNEXATION TO BOSTON. 77 

However, after considerable debate, on the 6th of 
March, a bill was passed by the Legislature, annexing 
Dorchester Neck to Boston. (See Appendix C.) 

By this means the citizens of Dorchester lost the 
jurisdiction over Mattapannock, and also the money 
offered, much to the chagrin of those who had oppos- 
ed the acceptance of the proffered sum. Land at 
South Boston — for from the passage of the bill it 
took this name — immediately increased in value. 
Lots that could be bought in 1803 for $40 an acre, 
now sold for $400 or $500, and a new impulse seem- 
ed to be given to the Neck. Many purchased large- 
ly, and South Boston immediately became quite a 
noted place. The population also began to increase, 
and those who owned land on the Neck suddenly be- 
came rich. And yet two, out of the twelve tax-pay- 
ers who lived in South Boston, never would give 
their consent to the separation, although one of them 
held a farm of 52 acres, which was thereby so greatly 
increased in value. 

At the same time that the Act was passed by which 
Dorchester Neck was annexed to the Town of Boston, 
other acts were passed, authorizing the building of a 
bridge from the Neck to the town, and also the con- 
struction of a street within the town, leading from 
the bridge to the more populous parts of it. As we 
intend, however, to make this bridge the subject of 
more extended remark in another chapter, we pass 
to other topics. 

When annexed, South Boston contained about six 
hundred acres of upland, and nineteen persons who 
paid a poll tax resided in the place. The following 
is a list of the proprietors at that time, with the tax 
they paid. 



78 



HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON. 



State, Town and County Tax, 1804. 





No. 




Value 


Real 


Total 


Names. 


Polls. 


Poll Tax. 


Real Estate. 


Estate Tax. 


Tax. 


Blake James, . 






$7,000 


$43 68 


$43 68 


Bird Jonathan, 3d, 


1 


175 


15,400 


96 10 


97 85 


Bird Samuel and Ezekie 






2,700 


16 85 


16 85 


Bird Thomas, . 






600 


3 74 


3 74 


Bird Jacob, 


1 


175 






175 


Bird Elijah, . 


1 


175 






175 


Clap Lemuel, . 


1 


175 


3,700 


23 09 


24 84 


Clap Jasou (Brick yd), 






2,000 


12 48 


12 48 


Clap Mary (Widow), 






2,700 


16 85 


16 85 


Cobb Samuel, 






3,300 


20 61 


20 61 


Champuey John, . 






2,200 


13 73 


13 73 


Deluce John, 


1 


175 


800 


4 99 


6 74 


Everett Moses, Esq., 






6,000 


37 44 


37 44 


Farrington John, 2d, 


1 


175 


7,800 


48 67 


50 42 


Gore Jeremiah, 






500 


3 12 


3 12 


Gray John, 






1,200 


7 49 


7 49 


Gould Abraham, . 


1 


175 


27,000 


168 43 


170 23 


Harrington Rufus, 


1 


175 


800 


4 99 


6 74 


Humphries James, 






750 


4 68 


4 68 


" (Guan 


ian) 




800 


4 99 


4 99 


Hartshorn Oliver, . 






750 


4 68 


4 68 


Higginson Stephen, 






4,800 


29 95 


29 95 


Leeds Thomas, 


1 


175 


600 


3 74 


5 49 


Loring Israel, 


1 


175 


800 


4 99 


6 74 


Marshall Moses, . 


1 


175 


300 


187 


3 62 


Munroe Thomas, . 


1 


175 






175 


Newman Henry, . 


1 


175 


10,600 


66 14 


67 89 


Payson Samuel, 






1,300 


8 11 


8 11 


Bobbins Edward, , 






3,000 


18 72 


18 72 


Spear Lemuel, 


1 


175 


2,500 


15 60 


17 35 


Spear Aaron, 


1 


175 


400 


2 50 


4 25 


Temple James, 


1 


175 






175 


Tudor William, Esq., . 






12,600 


78 62 


78 62 


Tileston Onisepherus, . 


1 


175 






175 


Williams David, . 


1 


175 


500 


312 


4 87 


Woodward Joseph, 


1 


175 


15,800 


98 59 


100 34 



139,200 



901 



Value of Real Estate, $139,200. Personal, no- 
thing. Number of Polls, 19. Poll Tax, $33 25. Real 
Estate Tax, $868 61. Total Tax, $901 86. 

In the year 1805, Judge Tudor, desirous of increas- 
ing the inducements to settle in South Boston, and 
feeling confident that money invested in that place 
would pay a good interest, built the large block 
of brick buildings situated at the corner of Broad- 
way and A street, and usually known as the " Bar- 
racks," or "Brinley Block." Three of the houses 



ANNEXATION TO BOSTON. 79 

were finished in the most magnificent style, while 
the fourth, the most westerly, was not completed in- 
side till some years afterwards. 

It will be remembered that within a few years 
the front doors of these houses were in the second 
story, and were reached by a long flight of steps. 
When they were built, Broadway was not graded, 
and these doors were on a level with the ground. 
Subsequently the street was dug down, and stories 
built beneath. Still more recently, these front doors 
have been changed into windows of the second story, 
and the flight of steps removed. 

At the same time, a Mr. Murphy built the house 
now known as the " South Boston Hotel." When 
first constructed, it was only half as large as at the 
present time. As soon as it was completed, Mr. 
Murphy opened it as a Public House, hanging out as 
his sign a large golden ball. Mr. Ross, a soap man- 
ufacturer, also, in 1805, built the large brick build- 
ing at the corner of Fourth and Turnpike streets, 
for some years occupied by Mr. Holmes as the 
" Twelfth Ward Hotel." Mr. Ross used it as a 
dwelling house for some time, and it then passed into 
other hands, and was used as a private dwelling. 

These buildings, with Mr. Gould's, under the old 
elms, near the corner of Fourth and E streets, were 
the only brick buildings in the place. Soon after 
the annexation, quite a number of wooden houses 
were built, occupied partly by persons who formerly 
resided in Boston proper, and partly by the work- 
men engaged in Mr. Ross's Soap Factory. Unfortu- 
nately for those who built the "Block," and the 
" Hotel," South Boston did not increase in impor- 
tance so rapidly as was expected. For a long 
time, three of the four houses in the " Block " re- 



80 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON. 

mained unoccupied, and the rent for the other only 
amounted to $120 per annum. After keeping the 
Golden Ball Hotel for four or five years, Mr. Mur- 
phy gave up the business, and the house was occupied 
by Mr. Hunting as a private residence for twenty- 
eight years. 

Abraham Gould, Esq., mentioned above, was for 
many years a prominent citizen of Mattapannock. 
His wife was a direct descendant of the Fosters 
who have been alluded to in previous chapters. As 
seen by the list of tax payers in 1804, he then held 
a large amount of real estate — more than any other 
individual in the place. He died in the brick house 
just spoken of, on Fourth street, in February, 1840, 
in the 84th year of his age. Mr. Gould was on guard 
duty at Nook's Hill on the night of the erection of 
the forts on the Heights. (See Appendix D.) 



CHAPTER Vm. 

BRIDGES AND AVENUES. 

Previous to the annexation of Dorchester Neck 
to Boston, there was no means of direct communica- 
tion between the two peninsulas, as already men- 
tioned, except by boats. There were but ten fami- 
lies then residing on Mattapannock, and the travel 
between the town and the Neck was very small. 
Small row-boats plied across to accommodate those 
who might wish to pass, running from Wind-mill 
Point, now the site of the Planing Mill in Sea street, 
to the foot of B street, and from Rainsford's Lane 
across to the foot of Fourth street. When, however, 



BRIDGES AND AVENUES. 81 

in 1803, the proposition was made to annex Dorches- 
ter Neck to Boston, it was judged necessary to pro- 
vide some better mode of commmiication between 
the places. A scheme was made to l)uild a bridge 
from Wind-mill Point across to the Neck. A peti- 
tion was sent to the town, asking for the privilege 
of having Dorchester Neck annexed to Boston, " upon 
the single condition that the inhabitants of Boston 
will procure a bridge to be erected between Boston 
and Dorchester Neck." 

And now commenced a discussion, which, perhaps, 
excited public attention and feeling more than any 
that has ever been brought before the Bostonians. 
Several confused meetings of the citizens were held 
on the subject. At one time they would pass reso- 
lutions, which at their next assemblage they would 
nullify. The greatest excitement prevailed, and it 
was necessary sometimes to adjourn the meetings 
because order could not be maintained. The chief 
subject of dispute seemed not to be as to the feasi- 
bility of annexing Dorchester Neck, and of building 
a bridge, but as to the conditions upon which it 
should be annexed, and where the bridge should be 
located. 

At last, on the 31st of January, 1804, the town 
agreed to the proposition of annexation, provided 
" that the place from which and the terms on which 
the bridge should be built, shall be left entirely with 
the Legislature." The Representatives from Bos- 
ton were authorized to favor the measure. 

It was then proposed to build a bridge from South 
street to the Neck, nearly in the present position 
of the North Free Bridge. In the " New England 
Palladium" for February 17, 1804, we find the fol- 
lowing record, 



82 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON. 

'' SENATE. 

Tuesday, Feb. 14. 

"New Bridge. — The joint Committee on the peti- 
tion of William Tudor and others, praying for leave 
to build a Bridge from Boston to Dorchester Neck, 
reported, That the petitioners have leave to bring 
in a bill, authorizing them to build a Bridge from 
South street in Boston, to Dorchester Neck, as set 
forth in the petition ; agreeably to such rules, regu- 
lations and conditions as shall be prescribed by the 
Legislature. 

" ft^ We learn, that the committee report as their 
opinion, tliat the conditions on which the leave be 
given, shall be, that the Proprietors of the bridge 
shall furnish, from the 1st of April to the 1st Decem- 
ber, each year, a boat, with two hands, whose busi- 
ness it shall be, at all times, to aid all vessels in 
passing the draw, that they may not be necessitated 
to cast anchor : — That the Proprietors of the Bridge 
shall pay Eleven Hundred Dollars, annually, to the 
wharf-holders at the South end and at Roxhury ; 
which sum shall annually be expended to promote 
the navigation above the bridge : — That it shall be 
lawful for the proprietors, after the expiration of 
three years, to make application to the Governor, 
who shall be authorized to appoint three persons to 
hear the parties, and decide on any new conditions 
they shall deem just and equitable, provided they 
shall not raise the sum to be paid annually ; and that 
every five years after, it shall be lawful to make a 
similar application, that similar process may be had 
thereon." 

On the petition for the annexation of Dorchester 
Neck to the town of Boston, the committee reported 
in favor of the petitioners, on condition that two 



BRIDCxES AND AVENUES. 83 

cross Streets be laid out by the petitioners, one run- 
ning E. and W., the other N. and S., and that three 
lots be appropriated for public purposes, viz. — one 
for a meeting'-house, one for a school-house, and one 
for a burial-place. 

The inhabitants at the south end of the town were 
very desirous that the bridge should be built from 
Orange street, in the present position of the South 
Free Bridge. The newspapers of the early part of 
the year 1804, were filled with communications on the 
subject, some merely squibs, while others occupied 
several colum.ns. Different editors took different 
views of the subject, and the matter was most fully 
discussed both by the public and in the legislative 
halls. 

At this juncture the inhabitants of the south end 
formed a plan to change the position of the bridge, 
offering, if it was built to accord to their wishes, to 
construct a commodious street across the flats from 
Rainsford's Lane to the head of the proposed bridge. 
They presented a petition to the General Court to 
be incorporated for this purpose, upon the presump- 
tion that no liberty would be granted for the erec- 
tion of any avenue to South Boston northward of 
this bridge, ^' U7iless at some future period the tri- 
er eased settlement of this part of the country should 
he such that the public exigencies should require the 
same^ 

This plan met with so favorable a reception, that 
the Dorchester Point proprietors were induced to 
make a compromise with the South-enders, and the 
South street bridge was abandoned. 

On the 23d of February, the joint Committee made 
a report on the basis of the compromise, which was 
accepted, and 



84 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

On Saturday, Feb, 25, a bill to incorporate certain 
persons " for the- purpose of making a street from 
Rainsford Lane to the Bridge proposed to be built 
from, or near, the Town's Landing at Dorchester 
Neck," was read for the first time. 

On Monday, Feb. 27, it had a second reading, and 
on Thursday, March 1, the bill was passed to be en- 
grossed. 

On Tuesday, March 6th, three highly important 
bills were signed by Goyernor Strong; yiz., one an- 
nexing Dorchester Neck to Boston, another incorpo- 
rating the Proprietors of Boston South Bridge, and 
a third incorporating the Front Street Corporation. 
(See Appendix E.) 

No sooner was the act authorizing the Bridge 
passed, than workmen began to driye the piles ne- 
cessary for its erection, and in the summer of 1805 
it was completed. It was one thousand fiye hundred 
and fifty-one feet in length, and cost the proprietors 
about $56,000. On the 1st day of October, soon 
after it was completed, it was the scene of a grand 
military display, concluded by a sham fight. 

Before its completion, however, it was manifest 
that its location did not suit a large portion of those 
interested in South Boston. The compromise made 
with the South end people did not seem to them a 
sufficient reason for chano-ino; the location of the 
bridge, and no sooner had the General Court assem- 
bled in January, 1805, than petitions were pre- 
sented praying for a bridge from Wheeler's Point. 
As the South Bridge was not yet completed, it was 
undoubtedly the design to prevent, by the passage 
of the new bill, the building of the Bridge from Front 
street. 

Public opinion on the subject was very much di- 



BRIDGES AND AVENUES. 85 

vided. Those who were interested at the South 
End were bitterly opposed to the passage of the 
Free Bridge Act, while those interested in South 
Boston and also tlie whole of the South Shore towns 
were in favor of a bridge from Wheeler's Point. 
The newspapers of that time were made the medium 
through which hundreds of communications on the 
subject were presented to the public. We have been 
much interested in looking over tlie files of the Co- 
lumbian Centinel, Independent Chronicle, and New 
England Palladium; Benj. Russell, the famous editor 
of the Centinel, after publishing a lengthy communi- 
cation in favor of the new bridge, in his paper of 
Jan. 16, 1805 — says: 

" In answer to a note which accompanied the pre- 
ceding communication, we observe, that from the ex- 
tensive circulation of the Centinel, we expect nume- 
rous communications on the subject therein broached. 
We therefore take this early occasion to notify 
the parties that the most exact impartiality will be ob- 
served by us ; that we shall give the pieces on both 
sides as early publicity as may be consistent with 
other duties; and that we shall demand a compensa- 
tion for our labor." 

It is clear that he saw the interest manifested on 
the subject, and by thus making his paper the organ 
of neither party, but admitting at the same time the 
communications of both, he rendered it popular to 
the public, and undoubtedly profitable to himself. 

As it was important that the sense of the people 
should be ascertained, a town meeting was called on 
Monday, February 4, 1805, at Faneuil Hall. The 
attendance was very large, and the Hall was so 
crowded that it was deemed advisable to adjourn 
the meeting till Thursday, when a more commodious 
8 



86 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON. 

place could be procured. Applications were made 
for leave to occupy several of the large churches^ 
but only two societies were willing to grant the re- 
quest; these were the South-End Society and the 
Universalist Society. It was decided to occupy the 
latter. The meeting was very lengthy, and the 
time was spent in angry discussion, and at a late hour, 
without accomplishing any thing, the meeting was ad- 
journed till Friday. Again there was the most bit- 
ter wrangling ; but after a long debate, those in favor 
of the bridge gained a majority, and passed a reso- 
lution instructing the Senators of Suffolk Coimty 
and the Representatives for Boston in General Court 
assembled, to aid by every possible endeavor the 
passage of an act authorizing the building of abridge 
from Wheeler's Point, in a line with South street, to 
South Boston. Notwithstanding the passage of this 
resolution, the opponents of the new bridge were too 
strong in the General Court to permit it to have 
much influence, and on the 20th of February, 1805, 
leave of withdrawal was given to those who peti- 
tioned for a bridge from Wheeler's Point to South 
Boston. 

In January, 1807, a petition was again presented, 
praying that leave might be granted for the building 
of a bridge from this same Point to South Boston. 
Again there was a long discussion, both in the public 
prints and in the halls of legislation. Sometimes the 
disputants even came to blows, and it is said that a 
leader of one of the parties, being in conversation 
with a member of the legislature, was offended at 
something said, and gave the law-maker a sound kick 
with the toe of his boot. The most bitter feeling ex- 
isted among the parties, and a feud was made which 
even now occasionally shows itself. Several town 



BRIDGES AND AVENUES. 87 

meetings were held about this time to discuss the 
matter ; and it is said that at one of them the excite- 
ment was so great it was feared there woukl be a 
riot. The meeting at that time was held in the Old 
South Church, and as the leaders of one party were 
attempting to address the assembly, one of the oppo- 
nents with all the noise possible was attempting, in 
another part of the church, to drown the voice of the 
other speaker. Confusion reigned supreme, and all 
was in an uproar. At this juncture an aged and 
respected citizen forced his way through the crowd, 
entered the pulpit, and calling for silence, said : 

" Citizens, I demand to be heard. 1 declare my- 
self moderator of this meeting, and call it to order. 
Citizens, out of respect to my age, in deference to 
my snowy locks, I call on you to listen. Let the 
mob be quiet and refrain from any injudicious acts." 

After a time the meeting was adjourned to a fu- 
ture period, when similar disorderly scenes were 
enacted, and similar attempts to quell the disturbance 
were made. 

In February, 1807, the Senate passed a bill author- 
izing the building of a bridge from Wheeler's Point, 
and it was sent to the House of Representatives for 
concurrence. The latter body, however, refused to 
concur, but a notice of reconsideration was made, 
and on the next day the matter was again discussed. 
As, however, there were only 226 present, 38 less 
than when the bill was rejected, a vote could not be 
taken, and the bill was returned to the Senate. This 
body non-concurred in the rejection, and a Commit- 
tee of Conference was chosen. After a lengthy dis- 
cussion the bill was voted down, and the project 
of building the South Street Bridge was again de- 
ferred. 



88 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

The Dorchester and Milton Turnpike, which was 
another important work connected with the growth 
and prosperity of South Boston, was constructed in 
1805, by a corporation entirely distinct from the one 
which built the bridge. It extended from the bridge 
to Milton Lower Mills ; and toll, as established by law, 
was taken for all carriages and beasts passing over 
it. It continued in the hands of the Company till 
1854, when all its right therein was purchased with 
money raised by subscription, and the road accepted 
by the town of Dorchester, as a public highway, 
which is now known as Dorchester Avenue. 

During the time of the dispute respecting the brid- 
ges, one of the land-holders at South Boston built out 
a wharf in the line of the Dorchester Turnpike. He 
did not perform the whole oif-hand, but accomplished 
the work a few feet at a time, until at last it extend- 
ed nearly to the channel. One night, a cob-wharf 
was floated around from the North End, and moored 
at Wheeler's Point, reaching to the South Boston 
wharf, and thus making an avenue from shore to 
shore. 

The object of this latter act was very obvious ; 
and no sooner did the morning dawn than the South- 
End people saw the bridge which had been built in 
a night, and, greatly exasperated, a party of them, 
dressed as Indians, went and cut away the cob-wharf, 
and giving it a push into the current, sent it sailing 
down the harbor. 

About two weeks after, in the night time, another 
party, disguised in the same manner, cut away the 
wharf on the South Boston side. The remains of 
some of the piles of which this wharf was construct- 
ed, could long be seen on the easterly side of the 
bridge, nearly opposite the Fulton Iron Foundry. 



BRIDGES AND AVENUES. 89 

No prosecution was made, although the names of the 
persons who instigated these acts were well known. 
Both parties were very rash, and committed many 
acts which they undoubtedly lamented afterwards. 
The public feeling ran very high. Rarely has there 
been a subject which so absorbed the attention of 
the whole community, the Bridge and the Anti-Bridge 
parties being at that time as well known as the dif- 
ferent political parties are at present. 

After the failure of the various attempts for the 
passage of a bill granting a bridge from Wheeler's 
Point to South Boston, the public seemed for a time 
to have concluded that it was useless to make any 
further exertions in favor of the project, and the 
matter rested for nearly fifteen years. There were 
some, however, who were still firm in the belief that 
a bridge was absolutely necessary for the interests 
both of South Boston and of Boston itself, and who 
embraced every opportunity to agitate the question. 
Among these, none were more zealous than Joseph 
Woodward, Esq., a gentleman well known to most 
of the " oldest citizens " of South Boston, and he to 
whom is due the credit of originating the plan of 
annexing South Boston to Boston. During the period 
which has been appropriately called " The Dark Ages 
of the Bridge Question," he endeavored by every pos- 
sible means to bring the subject again before the 
public mind. 

Ill 1823, the land proprietors at South Boston 
began again publicly to agitate the subject. Public 
meetings were held in the city, and quite a number 
of meetings of the citizens of South Boston were held 
in the Hawes School-house. Nothing definite was 
done, however, till at a meeting of the Board of Al- 
dermen (for Boston had now been a city for two 
8* 



90 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

years), held on Monday evening, March 8, 1824: — 
" On petition of Lot Wheelwright and others, a 
warrant was issued for calling a general meeting of 
the citizens, on Monday next, at 10 o'clock, in Fa- 
neuil Hall, to give in their yeas and nays on the 
question — 

" Is it for the interest and convenience of the city 
to have a free bridge or dam, from Wheeler's Point 
to South Boston, provided the same can be effected 
without any expense to the city, and whether they 
will instruct the City Government to petition for 
the same, and instruct their Senators and Represen- 
tatives in the next Legislature to labor to support 
such a measure." 

We find in the Columbian Centinel, of March 13, 
1824, the following article on the subject, which 
speaks for itself: — 

" Meeting on Monday. No less than five articles, 
pro and co7i, on the subject which is to be voted on 
at the public meeting notified for Monday next, are 
on our table. To insert them would occupy some 
columns, to select might give offence ; and the sub- 
ject having been before the public for years, and 
most minds made up on it, we ask leave to let them 
lie on the table." 

On Monday, March 15th, the meeting of the citi- 
zens was held. We copy an account of it, ad verba- 
Mm, from one of the newspapers of the day. 

"GENERAL MEETING. 

" On Monday a general meeting of the citizens was 
held at Faneuil Hall, on notification of the Mayor 
and Aldermen, on the petition of a competent num- 
ber of citizens, to determine, by yeas and nays, 
whether, in the opinion of the citizens at large, it is 



BRIDGES AND AVENUES. 91 

for the interest and convenience of the city to liave 
a Free Bridge or Dam, from Wheeler's Point to 
South Boston, provided the same can be effected 
without any expense to the city — and whether they 
will instruct the City Council to petition for the 
same, and their Senators and Representatives in the 
next Legislature to support such a measure. 

" The warrant for the meeting was read by the 
City Clerk, and Francis J. Oliver, Esq., was chosen 
moderator. The Mayor and Aldermen occupied the 
old Selectmen's seats. The notification of the meet- 
ing having expressed that the citizens were convened 
for the purpose of giving their yeas and nays on the 
question propounded in the notification, much impa- 
tience was exhibited by a very crowded Hall, and a 
great reluctance to attend to any debate on the subject. 

"It was moved by Mr. Kendall, that the ballot for 
the yeas and nays be opened. 

" Before this was put, A. Townsend, Esq., moved the 
indefinite postponement of the whole subject, and spoke 
at some length in opposition to the project of the Bridge. 
[He was frequently interrupted with cries of ^ Ques- 
tion, Question.'] Judge Orne opposed the postpone- 
ment, and advocated the proposition for the Bridge. 
He was followed by Hon. Mr. Gorham, who consi- 
dered himself obliged to explain the principle which 
induced him to oppose the project when before the 
Senate during the last session. The call for the 
question then became general ; and the motion to 
postpone the subject indefinitely was negatived by a 
large majority. The ballot by yeas and nays was 
then commenced, a vote having been passed to close 
it at 5 o'clock, P. M. At the close of the poll, the 
following result was announced — 

Yeas 2847 

Nays 779 



92 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

'' The question liaving been determined in favor 
of a Free Bridge, the meeting was dissolved. We 
have seldom seen a political excitement more intense 
than that exhibited on the present occasion." 

From this account we can understand the feeling 
of the public upon the subject. There were, as 
we have before said, two parties. The one interest- 
ed in Front street and in the South Toll Bridge — 
the other, land-holders at South Boston, owners of 
flats in the vicinity of Wheeler's Point, and the citi- 
zens of the towns on the South Shore. Agreeably 
to the vote passed at the meeting of the citizens, the 
City Government petitioned the General Court, at 
its session in May, 1824, to have a free bridge 
from Wheeler's Point to South Boston in a line with 
South Street. Instructions were given the Senators 
and Representatives to aid by every possible means 
the passage of the bill, and now came a struggle per- 
haps unparalleled in the legislature of our State. 
Each party endeavored to influence all who came in 
their way, and lobbying was all in vogue. The mat- 
ter, although seemingly of a sectional nature, never- 
theless excited the feelings of the Representa- 
tives from all parts of the State, and the discussions 
of the Anti-Bridge and the Bridge parties occupied 
the attention and a greater part of the time of the 
Legislature. 

Notwithstanding the most strenuous efforts of 
some of the most influential citizens of Boston, the 
subject took a political turn, and while the party 
now known as Whigs, favored the Bridge, the Demo- 
crats were as utterly opposed to it. Even the elec- 
tion of municipal officers in Boston was based on the 
famous Bridge question, and the inquiry, " Is he in 
favor of the Bridge ?" was made by hundreds previous 
to casting a vote for City Officers. 



BRIDGES AND AVENUES. 93 

At that time Ward XII. consisted of the South 
End and South Boston, the two antagonists in the 
struggle. As may be supposed, under the state of 
feeling which then existed, there was very little 
union, and when a meetino; was called to nominate 
four Common Councilmen to represent the Ward, 
there was great excitement. The South Bostonians 
contended for two of the four Councilmen, while the 
South-Enders were only willing to grant one. A 
caucus was held, and two South-Enders and one 
South Boston man were nominated, while the fourth 
was left as a point of dispute. Both parties were 
dissatisfied, and both held private caucuses. The 
South-Enders nominated four persons from their dis- 
trict, while the South Bostonians nominated as their 
candidates four men who resided in South Boston. 
The day for election came, and the South-End voters 
succeeded in electing their four men, much to the 
chagrin of the people of South Boston, who were 
thus left unrepresented in the City Council. 

At the State House, the discussions on the subject 
of the new bridge were earnest and exciting, and 
often quite personal. To show the state of feeling, 
we will relate the following incident. A warm up- 
holder of the project was one day speaking very 
earnestly on the subject, much to the discomfort of 
the opposite side. The speaker chanced to have 
left a fine blue broadcloth cloak hanging in the back 
part of the hall. When he had finished his speech, 
he retired, and on taking down his cloak, he found 
that some one with a jack-knife, in the heat of pas- 
sion, had cut it into shreds. Who it was that com- 
mitted this act, was never known. The cloak is 
still in existence, and is preserved as a memorial of 
the struggle for the South Street Bridge. 



94 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

At another time, one of the Representatives was 
making an eloquent appeal in favor of the bridge, 
when an opponent seated near, and exasperated by 
his words, shouted with an oath, " That's a lie !" 
The speaker then proceeded a few sentences farther, 
when again, " That's a lie ! ! " and yet again, " That's 
another lie ! ! " was shouted by the person sitting 
near, and thus was the pleader rudely disturbed till 
he had concluded his address. 



CHAPTER IX. 



BRIDGES AND AVENUES. , 

Such is an account of the struggle which took j 
place before the bill authorizing the building of the ' 
North Free Bridge was passed. Over twenty years 
elapsed from the time the question was first discuss- 
ed, ere the Legislature decided to grant the request 
of the landholders of South Boston for a new avenue. 
Hard had been the struggle, but it was now over, 
and seemingly a new era for the interests of South 
Boston was about to dawn. With increased facili- 
ties for intercourse, it was expected that business 
would be improved. (See Appendix F.) 

But now, a new difficulty presented itself. Who was 
to build the bridge ? The city was unwilling to 
move in the matter ; no single individual was able !i 
to take hold and build it. The lowest estimated 
cost was $30,000, and how could this sum be raised ? 
A committee was chosen to select the best method 
of obtaining the required amount, and they proposed 
a direct tax on all the inhabitants and landholders f 



BRIDGES AND AVENUES. 95 

of South Boston. A tax was accordingly levied, and 
a large proportion took hold in good earnest. The 
tax, however, was binding on no one, and after col- 
lecting all that was possible, the sum total amounted 
to much less than the required amount. It was evi- 
dent that resort must be had to some other plan 
in order to obtain the desired end. Accordingly, a 
proposition was made to have the stock divided into 
shares, and to solicit subscriptions from all interest- 
ed. Again did the South Bostonians, eagerly desi- 
rous of securing the benefit of the proposed bridge; 
come forward and contribute largely. Still, the sum 
was not sufficient to warrant the Committee to pro- 
ceed and build the Bridge. Things looked dark. 
Every attempt had been made to obtain the desired 
amount, but as yet the sum was far from sufficient. 

A meeting of those most interested in the matter 
was held, and after long debate, the Chairman re- 
marked, " Gentlemen, there is but one way to do ; 
either the bridge project must be given up, the char- 
ter cast aside, and the labor of long years lost, or 
we must contribute a sufficient sum to erect the ave- 
nue. Gentlemen, I hold in my hand a list of names 
against each of which is placed a certain sum, which 
you are invited to loan to the Bridge Company, with 
the proviso that the lenders shall be entitled to re- 
ceive all that remains after the completion of the 
bridge." Some of the men were " doomed," as it 
was called, to $1,000, some $1,500, and one or two 
as high as $2,000. No time was given for delibera- 
tion, and it was requested that each give his promise 
before he left the room. One gentleman, a zealous 
friend of the bridge, but one who felt unwilling to 
put his hand into his purse in the manner proposed, 
was seen to creep towards the door. The Chairman 



96 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON. 

had his attention directed to the person, and with 
loud voice, he said, " It is of no use ; either you must 
make the loan or give up the project." At last, all, 
save one, agreed to loan the amount for which they 
were " doomed," although it was known at the time 
that it was extremely doubtful whether any return 
would be made. 

The Committee then proceeded to erect a bridge. 
Proposals were solicited, and at last the Messrs. 
Newcombs, of Quincy, were selected to erect the 
abutments on the South Boston side; Wm. Wright 
and A. A. Dame, the abutments on the Boston side ; 
and Samuel Chittendon was engaged to erect the 
wood work. And here a new difficulty presented 
itself. The act of incorporation did not specifically 
define the position of the bridge, and there were 
dififerent opinions as to the best site. At last, a 
wealthy gentleman of South Boston, the owner of 
much real estate in the vicinity of the proposed 
bridge, and the proprietor of the flats on the west- 
erly side of Turnpike street, offered, if they would 
run the bridge directly to his flats in a line with 
Turnpike street, to erect at his own expense the 
necessary sea wall on the westerly side. The pro- 
position was accepted, and the abutments of the 
bridge were run in a direct line with Turnpike street, 
and then a turn was made, and the wood work was 
laid directly in a line with Sea street. Those in the 
least conversant with the situation of the bridge re- 
member the turn near the Fulton Iron Foundry, 
and this is the cause of its occurrence. 

But at last the bridge was completed, and seem- 
ingly the long struggle was over. Not so, however, 
for one night the piles on which the bridge was 
placed slid an inch or so, and made it impossible to 



BRIDGES AND AVENUES. 97 

open the draw. Vessels were waiting for a passage ; 
and after repeated attempts an axe was procured, 
and sufficient cut off from the draw to make it possi- 
ble to open it. The next night it moved again ; again 
was the axe brought into requisition^ and it was 
found necessary to make some extensive alterations 
before the bridge stood firm. 

On the 5th ol^February, 1827; the City Council had 
passed a resolve, that, in case the Boston Free 
Bridge Corporation should build a bridge, such as 
the City Council should direct and approve, and 
should locate it to the satisfaction of said Council, 
it would be expedient for the City to accept the 
same, and to assume the care and obligation of 
keeping said bridge in repair, and to provide for 
lighting the same, and for raising the draw or draws 
thereof, as long as South Boston should remain a 
part of the City of Boston, upon such terms and con- 
ditions as should l)e required by the City Council. 
On the 11th of August, 1828, a committee was ap- 
pointed by the City Council, with full power to ac- 
cept from the Boston Free Bridge Corporation the 
surrender of the bridge, with its abutments, on the 
compliance by the Corporation with the terms and. 
conclitions prescribed, and to submit all matters in 
dispute to arbitration. The committee reported,, 
October 7, 1828, that they had submitted the same 
to the arbitration of Loammi Baldwin, Samuel Hub- 
bard and Willard Phillips, Esqrs., who had made an 
award; that the requisite deeds had been delivered,, 
on the second of October, and the sum of sixteen 
hundred and seven dollars paid to the City by the 
Corporation, upon which delivery and payment, the 
obligation of the care and superintendence of the 
bridge and streets devolved upon the City, by force 
9 



98 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON. 

of said award. The Corporation also gave notice of 
their election to complete the northerly abutment, 
and claimed the return of four hundred and seventy- 
four dollars, according to the award, which was re- 
turned accordingly. By the deed of the Corpora- 
tion, which was executed by Francis J. Oliver, the 
President, on September 26th, 1828, pursuant to a 
vote of the Corporation passed September 24th, the 
Boston Free Bridge Corporation surrendered and 
conveyed the said bridge and abutments, wharves, 
&c. to the City of Boston, upon the terms and con- 
ditions on which the said City agreed to accept the 
same, by the resolve of February 5, 1827; and also 
assigned to the City a deed from Gardiner Greene, 
dated August 1, 1828, and a deed from John T. Ap- 
thorp and others, dated August 21, 1828, and convey- 
ed to the City all the lands and flats, rights and privi- 
leges, acquired thereby. 

By a subsequent act, the City of Boston is author- 
ized to construct and maintain such wharves or 
piers, on either or both sides of the Free Bridge, as 
shall be necessary for the preservation and safety of 
said bridge, provided, however, that the said wharves 
or piers shall not extend in width from the sides of 
said bridge more than twenty-five feet. Also, " If 
any person shall wilfully do any injury or damage to 
said bridge, said wharves or piers, or shall disturb 
or hinder the said City in the occupation of said 
wharves or piers, for the purpose aforesaid, the per- 
son so offending shall forfeit and pay, for each of- 
fence, a penalty not less than fifty dollars, nor more 
than one hundred dollars, to the use of the Common- 
wealth, to be recovered by indictment, or informa- 
tion in any court of competent jurisdiction, and such 
person so offending shall be further liable to answer 



BRIDGES AND AVENUES. 99 

ill damages to the City of Boston; 'provided, that 
iiotliing in this act shall be construed as intending 
to impair or affect the lawful rights of any person 
whatsoever. 

^' Whenever the wharves or piers erected, or 
which shall be erected by the authority of the said 
act, shall be used or improved for any other purpose 
or purposes than those therein specified, all right and 
authority to maintain them shall cease, and be void. 

" No part of the wharves or piers, which the City 
of Boston is authorized to construct by virtue of the 
act last cited, shall be maintained within the distance 
of forty-five feet of any wharf or pier which shall 
have been or may hereafter be lawfully constructed 
by any individual or individuals." 

Much opposition was made to the project of mak- 
the bridge city property, but at last all difficulty was 
amicably settled. 

Thus was opened a new avenue between Boston 
and South Boston. Wearisome days and sleepless 
nights, hard labor and unceasing exertions, were 
necessary to effect the desired end, and it was not 
accomplished until twenty-five years had elapsed 
from the time that the first movement was made in 
the matter. In 1832, after the affairs of the compa- 
ny had been duly audited, it was found that $2,431 13 
remained to be divided among those who loaned to 
the company, or about 41 per cent, on the whole 
loan. We have seen a list of all who contributed to 
the bridge, and find on it the names of nearly all 
those who were citizens of South Boston at that 
time. 

On the 12th of March, 1830, an act was passed by 
the Legislature repealing the provision for a pay- 
ment to vessels passing the South Bridge draw. On 



100 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON. 

the 23d of June, 1831, after the North Bridge had 
been built, and the South Bridge had been greatly 
diminished in value in consequence thereof, an act 
was passed, authorizing and empowering the propri- 
etors of the South Bridge to sell, assign and trans- 
fer to the City of Boston, the franchise and materials 
of said Bridge, to have and to hold the same to the 
City and its successors forever. 

Provisions were made, however, that no toll or 
duty should be exacted or paid for any travel over 
said bridge, or passing the draw of the same, and 
that the City should keep the bridge in repair, and 
provide a keeper who should raise the draw, and 
afford all necessary and proper accommodation to 
vessels that might have occasion to pass. Also, the 
City was to keep the bridge sufficiently lighted. 

In case the City did not buy the bridge before the 
13th of September, 1831, authority was given the 
proprietors to surrender the franchise to the Com- 
moiiAvealth. 

The City and the proprietors could not come to 
an agreement; and on the 16th of March, 1832, an 
additional act was passed, by Avhich the proprietors 
of the South Bridge were authorized to discontinue 
said Brido-e as a pass way, at any time between the 
passage ol this act and the 1st day of August, 1832, 
if the City should not, before the 1st day of May, 
pay to the proprietors such a sum of money as might 
be agreed upon by them and the City. 

Matters did not wear a very favorable aspect; 
and as the proprietors of the bridge seemed resolved 
to take advantage of the privilege granted them, the 
joint Committee of the City Council on the subject 
was authorized, on the r2th of March, 1832, to agree 
with the proi)rietors for the purchase of their fran- 



BRIDGES AND AVENUES. 101 

cliise. On the 2d of April, they made their report, 
that the proprietors were willing to sell for a sum 
not less than thirty-five hundred dollars, and recom- 
mended that the offer be accepted. 

On the 19th of April, 1832, a deed was executed 
for the sum of $3500, conveying to the City of Bos- 
ton and its successors, " all the franchise and also all 
the materials of the Boston South Bridge, together 
with the buildings, rights, wharves and real estate 
of the said Corporation, and every part and parcel 
thereof, whatsoever the same may be, and whereso- 
ever situated, with all the privileges, appurtenances, 
and immunities of every description to the granted 
premises and every part thereof in any wise apper- 
taining, subject nevertheless always to all the pro- 
visos, terms, duties, conditions and tenure in the 
aforesaid acts of the said Commonwealth set forth 
and expressed." 

Thus the South Bridge became city property, and 
was made a free passage way for the public. In 

1849, an order was passed for the filling up with 
gravel of about two hundred feet on the South Boston 
extremity of the Bridge. This was accomplished in 

1850, and is now solid earth. It is highly probable 
that before many years the same process will be 
undergone at the other extremity, and the bridge 
only extend sufficiently far to have a passable channel 
for vessels. 

In 1856, the North Bridge having become badly 
worn, appropriations were made by the City of Bos- 
ton for a thorough rebuilding. Three months were 
occupied in the work, which was concluded on the 
12th of December. The bridge is now one of the 
most substantial and best constructed in the vicinity 
of Boston. It is hereafter to be known as the Fed- 
9* 



102 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON'. 

eral Street Bridge, and the South one is to be called 
the Dover Street Brido'e. 

Old Colony Rail-Road Bridge. 

The act of incorporation of the Old Colony Rail 
Road, obtained in 1844, provided that the road should 
terminate in South Boston. This terminus, however, 
did not suit the Corporation, and in 1845 they peti- 
tioned for leave to construct a bridge across the 
water, and to have a passenger depot on the Boston 
side. This measure was strongly opposed both by 
the citizens of Roxbury, who were fearful that it 
would injure the navigation to their wharves, and by 
the South Boston people, who were anxious to re- 
tain the business which a rail-road depot would pro- 
bably attract. 

The opposition, however, was in vain, and in 1845 
the bill authorizing the building of a bridge was 
passed. The new avenue was built sufficiently wide 
for two tracks, and provided with a sliding draw. 
The length of the bridge is 290 feet. Since its com- 
pletion, the depot on Dorchester Avenue, South Bos- 
ton, which was before used as a passenger station, 
has been used only for freight. The cost of the 
bridge was $14,000. The width of the draw is 32 
feet. 

Evans's Rail-Road Bi^idge. 

In 1848, the City Government, desirous of filling 
up a large number of acres of flats at the South End, 
made a contract with William Evans, Esq., to supply 
the gravel requisite. To accomplish the desired end, 
it was necessary to construct a bridge across from 
Boston, near Roxbury, to South Boston. Under the 
name of the Mt. Hope Rail Road, leave was obtained 



BRIDGES AND AVENUES. . 103 

to build this bridge. It is a pile bridge, running 
from the rail-road crossing at Turnpike street (now 
Dorchester Avenue) in South Boston, across in a 
south-Avesterly direction. It was nearly a mile in 
length, not floored, and had two draws for the pas- 
sage of vessels. In 1856 this bridge was removed, 
the purpose for which it was built having been ac- 
complished. 

Boston (^* New York Central Rail-Road Bridges. 

This Company, having located their Depot or Sta- 
tion-house at the foot of Summer street in Boston^ 
and the track of their road lying through a portion 
of South Boston, it became necessary to construct a 
bridge for the use of the road, across the water, be- 
tween the two shores. This was done, not in a 
straight line across, but in a circular course, from 
the wharf of the Company in Boston to Slane's wharf 
in South Boston, making a distance of 4700 feet, and 
built for a double track. It is a pile bridge, and has 
a draw of improved construction where the channel 
passes under it. As the line of the rail-road from 
South Boston to Dorchester lay across the South or 
Roxbury Bay, another bridge was here required, 
passing from Dorchester Avenue to the upland in 
the town of Dorchester, This is 5030 feet long, 
and is built mostly for a single track. The total 
length of the two bridges is 9730 feet, or about 
If miles; the cost was $91,500 — and they were 
opened for the use of the road in January, 1855. 

This rail-road passing under the streets in South 
Boston, bridges were also required at the difierent 
crossings. These were for a considerable time un- 
finished, on account of the pecuniary embarrassments 
of the Company, and the necessary excavations for 



104 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

the road are in some places still (1857) remaining 
without the proper stone embankments. 

Mount Washington Avenue. 

The avenue under this name, leading from the foot 
of Kneeland street in Boston, over Boston Wharf to 
the foot of A street in South Boston, and making the 
third public passage way between these two parts of 
the city, was finished and opened to the public in 1855. 
It was built by the Boston Wharf Company, and is 
a continuation of their wharf, which extended into 
the sea from the South Boston shore to the Commis- 
sioners' line, so called. The City paid the Company 
$60,000 for the bridge and a street leading from it 
to 1st street, and opened it as a public highway. The 
distance over it, from Broadway to Kneeland street, 
is somewhat greater than over the Federal Street 
Bridge. It has one draw for the passage of vessels. 



CHAPTER X. 

WAR WITH ENGLAND PUBLIC EXECUTION. 

On the 17th day of June, 1812, a bill declaring 
war between the United States and England passed 
the American House of Representatives by a vote of 
79 to 49, and the Senate by one of 19 to 13. On 
the 18th, President Madison signed the bill, and war 
was commenced between two of the most powerful 
nations of the globe. 

Immediately after the declaration, the President 
called on the various States for troops, and volun- 
teers began to gather under the stars and stripes, 



INCIDENTS OF THE WAR. 105 

to figlit for the honor of their country. There 
was, however, difficulty in obtaining the requisite 
number; as a portion of the people of the United 
States thou2:ht the war wholly unnecessary. In 
Massachusetts, during the latter part of the war, 
Governor Strong isi^ued a proclamation for troops, and 
the militia gathered from the vicinity in great num- 
bers at Boston, as it was feared the British might 
attack that town. The United States troops were 
stationed at the forts on the islands, and were enlist- 
ed for the war. The State militia, however, were 
enlisted for only thirty days. 

It was thought best to fortify Dorchester Heights, 
and as the embankments had been partially washed 
away, it was deemed expedient to repair the works. 
This labor was done by volunteers. Patriotic citi- 
zens united in the work, and in several instances 
the male members of a church, headed by their min- 
ister and accompanied with martial music, contribu- 
ted a day's labor to accomplish the object. A new 
powder house was erected, and platforms built with- 
in the forts, on which were placed a number of cannon 
ready for action whenever they might be needed. 

Several regiments of militia were stationed in 
South Boston, and for some time our peninsula pre- 
sented the appearance of a military camp. Wooden 
barracks were erected on a large field now lying 
north of Broadway, and between D and Dorchester 
streets. There were then no houses in that vicinity, 
and on the spacious field near the barracks the militia 
were drilled, every morning and evening, in the man- 
ual of arms. Guards were stationed day and night 
upon the beach from South Boston to Commercial 
Point, in Dorchester, and no one was allowed to 
leave tlic peninsula during the night. A lady, who 



106 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

at that time was but a small cliild, informs us that 
one evening a man was badly scalded, and it was 
necessary to visit Boston in order to procure some 
lint to dress his burns. She, with another girl, was 
sent on the errand, but was stopped by the guards, 
and only allowed to pass after a long examination 
into the facts of the case. 

In the barracks, at the corner of Broadway and 
A street, Capt. McNeil opened a United States Re- 
cruiting Rendezvous. Here the troops, as soon as 
they were enlisted, were brought and quartered till 
they were ordered to other parts of the country. 

The Massachusetts militia did not enter the service 
of the United States ; that is, they did not put them- 
selves under the command of a United States Officer, 
but were commanded by militia officers appointed 
by the State, and were paid from its treasury. By 
this means they were not required to leave the 
State. The soldiers received their pay from the 
State government, and were always paid off in gold 
and silver, while the regular United States troops 
received checkered paper money, which was then at 
a discount of 25 per cent. As is well known, Mas- 
sachusetts since the war has endeavored to obtain 
from the general government the amount she paid 
for her defence, but it has never been received 
in full. 

Each soldier daily drew a certain quantity of pro- 
visions sufficient for his wants. Those stationed in 
South Boston, however, were in the habit of stealing 
from the few inhabitants thenrcsiding here, pigs, sheep, 
fowls, potatoes, turnips, and, in a word, every thing 
they could obtain. At one time, as we are informed 
by a gentleman who was present and heard the con- 
versation, a soldier met one of his companions in 



INCIDENTS OF THE WAR. 107 

arms, and asked him what he had for breakfast. 
"Nothing but corn beef and bread/' replied the 
soldier. 

" Well, I had something better than that, I reckon." 

" What was it ? " 

" Why, new potatoes." 

As new potatoes were then very scarce, the sol- 
dier immediately asked where they were obtained, 

" Oh, I drew them." 

" Drew them ! how's that ? I did not." 

" Oh, I drew them, tops and all, down there," point- 
ing as he spoke to a large potato field near the camp. 

"You did, did you, you scoundrel!" cried the 
owner, who chanced to be within hearing. " You 
did, did you ? Well, you may have what you've got, 
but try that game again, and you'll get paid for it." 

And thus it was. The militia seemed to have for- 
gotten that property should be inviolable, and 
thought that because they were fighting for their 
country they had a right to take what they pleased. 

Although there was no attack made on Boston, 
yet the inhabitants were in constant fear of an inva- 
sion, and the militia were expecting every day to 
be called on to repel it. Several times the whole 
camp was thrown into the most intense excitement 
by receiving notice that the British fleet was coming 
up the harbor. A watch was constantly stationed 
on the Heights, to ascertain the movements of the 
enemy, whose ships of war were for a time in sight. 

One evening, it was very cloudy, and the sentinels 
discovered six or eight large vessels entering the 
harbor. The alarm was immediately given, and af- 
ter due examination the commander of the forts on 
the islands in the harbor decided that they must be 
British vessels, and accordingly began to make pre- 



108 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

parations to oppose the enemy. Capt. F. was 
commander of one fort, but he possessed little 
valor, and as soon as he saw the enemy as he sup- 
posed, coming towards the fort, he began to trem- 
ble. His wife and sister, together with all his valu- 
ables, were moved from the fort to South Boston for 
safety, and he himself was so overcome with fear, 
that one of the officers. Colonel, afterwards General 
Porter, a man who feared nothing, came up to him, 
and said, 

" Captain, carry your wife and sister out of this 
fort. We don't want any wincing and blubbering 
here. Clear every one of them out, and if you are 
afraid, clear out yourself, and I'll see to the fort. 
We don't want any scare-crows in it." 

In due time the clouds dispersed, and instead of 
the British fleet, the soldiers discovered only a 
portion of the American squadron giving chase to a 
British frigate. Of course Capt. F. felt rather 
ashamed. 

At another time, the officers of the militia, it is 
said, desirous of trying the bravery of the soldiers 
quartered in South Boston, one night caused to be 
stationed a large number of boats in the harbor, 
placing on each one a blue light. At about midnight, 
the drum beat to arms, and the astonished militia, 
half dressed and but half awake, saw before them, as 
they supposed, the British fleet just ready to fire 
upon them. As soon as they could be formed into 
columns, the roll was called, when it was found that 
one third of the men had deserted, and had scamper- 
ed off, as fast as their legs would permit, to Dorches- 
ter. After waiting in suspense for some time, the 
officers remarked that tliey thought there would be 
no trouble before morning, and ordered the men 
into their quarters. 



I 



PUBLIC EXECUTION. 109 

After several months' service at this place, peace 
was declared, the troops returned to their homes, 
and South Boston was no longer the scene of milita- 
ry operations. 

JExeciition. 

The following account of an execution which took 
place in South Boston, will be read with interest. 

In the latter part of the year 1813, two men, 
named Samuel Tully and John Dalton, were convict- 
ed of piracy and sentenced to be hung. Accordingly, 
on the 10th day of December, of that year, the two 
men were taken from the Prison at Charlestown, 
and a procession was formed as follows : — First, the 
Deputy Marshal on horseback, bearing the Marshal's 
mace, a silver oar. Next came carriages containing 
the officers of the State Prison, and the Marshal and 
Sheriff of Suffolk county. Then came the criminals 
in the Prison carriage, a wagon hung in black, at- 
tended by Rev. Mr. Collier, Chaplain of the Prison. 
They were pinioned, and wore white caps. Their 
coffins projected from each side of the carriage. 
Following behind were Deputy Marshals and an im- 
me]ise crowd of men, women and children, eager tO' 
witness the death-struggles of a human being. In 
this manner they passed through the town, Tully re- 
peatedly addressing those who crowded about the 
carriage. Crossing the Old bridge, they passed up 
Fourth street, to the gallows, which was built at the 
foot of Nook Hill, now the corner of C and Third 
streets. On arriving at the place of execution, the 
Marshal and his Deputies, and the Sheriff and the 
Chaplain, ascended the stage. Tully then read a 
written communication, in which he confessed that 
he had been guilty of piracy. He also spoke feel- 
ingly of the great kindness and attention he had re- 
10 



110 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

ceivcd in prison. The criminals then kneeled, and 
amidst the tumult of the immense crowd who sur- 
rounded the place of execution, Rev. Mr. Collier ad- 
dressed the Throne of Grace. He then took the 
culprits by the hand, and bade them farewell. At 
quarter past 2, TuUy mounted the drop, and letting 
fall a handkerchief (the signal that he was ready), 
the drop fell, and he was launched into eternity 
without a struggle, the limbs merely undergoing a 
slight contraction and extension. 

The Marshal then made a suitable address to the 
immense gathering, and concluded by reading a 
respite for Dalton, by which the President deferred 
his execution till the 10th of January, 1814. He 
was, however, eventually sentenced to imprisonment 
for life. The halter was then taken from his neck, 
a hat placed on his head instead of the white cap, 
and he was transported back to the prison with the 
body of Tully, in the same carriage in which they 
had been taken to the gallows. No less than ten 
thousand spectators were present, and a much larger 
number would have attended if the weather had not 
been so intensely cold. So cold, indeed, was it, that 
several were frost-bitten. The place of execution 
was exposed to a sharp piercing wind from the ocean, 
and rendered it very uncomfortable for the specta- 
tors to stand any length of time. Every thing was con- 
ducted with propriety and decorum, and the arrange- 
ments of the day reflected the greatest credit on the 
Marshal. The following stanza was sung with a 
clear voice, by Tully, upon the scaffold, a few mo- 
ments before the drop fell : — 

" All hail, my dear companions, all hail to you again ! 
You wish to know my station, if I am free from pain. 
I'm free from pain and sorrow, and every earthly wo, 
And happy in my Saviour whence all my blessings flow." 



J 



SCHOOLS. Ill 



CHAPTER XL 

SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL-HOUSES, 

Among the many advantages which South Boston 
has derived from its union with the City proper, there 
is none which has produced so great an effect as the in- 
crease of opportunities for acquiring education. The 
inhabitants of Dorchester Neck were almost forgot- 
ten by the Town of Dorchester in its annual appro- 
priations for schools, and they were obliged to sup- 
port a school at their own expense. We find the 
followino; on the Records of the Town of Dorches- 
ter : " At a meeting of the Freeholders of Dorches- 
ter, held the 18ch day of May, 1761, It was voted, 
that four £ be allowed Dorchester Neck towards 
the support of a school." The amount was after- 
wards increased, as will be seen from the annexed 
vote. At a meeting of the Freeholders of the Town 
of Dorchester, held May 12th, 1794, it was voted, 
" That six £ be allowed the Inhabitants of Dorches- 
ter Neck towards the support of a school." As may 
be supposed, this sum was not sufficient to sustain a 
school for any great portion of the year. Still, the 
inhabitants of the Neck were obliged to get along 
as best they could, with this trifling assistance. 

In 1804, as we have before remarked, Dorchester 
Neck was annexed to Boston, and the inhabitants 
were now dependent on that town for the support 
of their school. The town of Boston, however, did 
not immediately make an appropriation for this pur- 
pose, and the young South Bostonians were still 
obliged to attend a private school, whicli was sup- 
ported by subscription. We can obtain no informa- 



112 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

tion in regard to this school, save that it was far 
from answering the wishes of those for whom it was 
designed. In 1807, however, the inhabitants of 
South Boston, thinking they were entitled to the same 
privileges as those in other parts of the town, re- 
quested the School Committee to provide a suitable 
school for the instruction of their children. On the 
22d of May, 1807, a petition, reading as follows, was 
presented to the School Committee by a number of 
the inhabitants of South Boston. 

" To the Honorable Selectmen of the town of Bos- 
ton and School Committee, the inhabitants of South 
Boston humbly show, that for three years past they 
have paid a tax to the amount of nearly one thousand 
dollars per annum to the said Town, without any 
allowance for schooling or any other expenses they 
have been at, since the annexation of this peninsula 
to the metropolis ; therefore they pray your honora- 
ble board to insert an article in your warrant for the 
next Town meeting, requesting the town to allow 
and pay a sum of money to our committee for the 
support of a woman's school, and the rent of a room 
for that purpose, for six months. Also, from the 
next tax a sum of money sufficient to build a conve- 
nient School House, and the support of a Schoolmas- 
ter for one year. As in duty bound, we shall ever 
pray. 

Joseph Woodward, ^ Committee 
Abraham Gould, > in behalf of the 
John Deluge, } Inhabitants. 

South Boston, April SOth, 1807." 

This petition received no attention from the 
School Committee, excepting the passage of an order 
that all future consideration of the subject be indefi- 
nitely postponed. 



SCHOOLS. 113 

The inhabitants of the town, however, did not 
treat the subject so carelessly, and voted to grant 
$300 for the support of a school for one year. This 
was not sufficient to pay all expenses, but what was 
wanting was cheerfully paid by the citizens of South 
Boston. A school-house, capable of seating about 
90 scholars, was built, and the school was placed 
under the charge of a woman. Its location was on 
the south side of G- street, the yard making the cor- 
ner of G and Dorchester streets. 

The School Committct^ did not take this school 
under their charge till 1811, at which time the in- 
habitants presented another petition, and " At a le- 
gal meeting of the Freeholders and other Inhabitants 
of the Town of Boston, held on the 27th day of May, 
1811, it was voted. That the Petition of the inhabi- 
tants of South Boston respecting schooling their 
children be referred to the School Committee, who 
are hereby requested to pay an immediate attention 
to the same, and to take the school under their care 
and supervision." The Committee then appropriated 
three hundred dollars for the support of a school for 
one year, and also took the school under their 
charge. 

On June 28th, 1816, a petition signed by Adam 
Bent, John Deluce, and Abel He wins, a committee 
of the inhabitants of South Boston, was presented to 
the School Committee, praying for an additional 
grant, and the following order was passed : 

" Voted, that an additional grant of $100 be made 
for the present year, making the whole grant $400, 
and also, a grant be made of five cords of wood." 

Of this early school, a gentleman now resident 
among us, and who attended it, gives the following 
account. 

10* 



114 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

" I commenced going to that school some time dur- 
ing the war of 1812 — as it is called — while the 
whole neighborhood of the school-house was an en- 
tire camp ; and the whole locality and interior ar- 
rangement of the building are as vivid in my recol- 
lection now as are those of any room in my house. 
A long desk ran lengthwise in the building: this 
was the seat of the first and second classes of boys. 
All who occupied it were compelled to climb over 
the bench to take a seat, the plank which formed the 
seat running the whole length of the building, with 
the exception of some five feet at the west end of it, 
which was occupied by the master's desk, and this . 
was elevated about three feet. This long desk, as I 
have said, ran from east to west on the south side 
of the house, and some shorter desks and benches 
ran crosswise the building, from north to south, 
leaving an aisle of about four feet the whole length 
of the building, in the centre of which stood a stove. 
There was a fire-place in the west end of the build- 
ing, which, when I first went to the school, was the 
only apparatus for warming it, but it was found diffi- 
cult to do this in extreme cold weather, and hence 
the getting of the stove. There was a great descent 
on G street then, as now, and while the east end of 
the house was on the ground, the west end was 
blocked up with stone perhaps three feet or more. 
There were no windows in either end of the build- 
ing, and the east end was used by the boys for play- 
ing marbles, ball, and other games. Thirty or forty 
feet from the east end of the school-house stood the 
public pound. 

" These short cross-seats and desks of which 1 have 
spoken, were occupied by the girls of the school, and 
..by the boys of the under classes. The first class of 



SCHOOLS. 115 

girls was at the extreme end of the room, farthest 
from the master's desk, and boys of the lower class- 
es in front of them. 

" The desks of the higher classes of girls had con> 
veniences for writing, and I distinctly remember 
distributing the writing-books to the girls occupying 
those seats. The long desk had shelves under it for 
the storage of books, &c. Most of the pupils, living 
at a distance from the school, in winter carried their 
dinners, which were generally deposited on those 
shelves, and occasionally some hungry urchin would 
make free with his neighbor's viands, while the de- 
spoiled would make reprisals upon the provisions of 
his neighbor. The bench or plank on which the oc- 
cupants of this desk sat, had no paling of any kind 
either in front or rear, but was entirely naked, giving 
a fair view to those occupying the cross seats of 
all that was going on under and around the long 
desk. 

" I well remember one winter, after an extremely 
copious fall of snow, succeeded by a slight rain and 
vigorous frost, which left the surface of the snow as 
smooth and nearly as hard as ice, the boys were en- 
abled to skate to school, elevated to nearly the tops 
of the fences, which were about the only obstructions, 
there being but few houses in the place. Most of 
the boys availed themselves of this novel method of 
travelling over the pastures (for there were no 
streets), and, as might be expected, when school was 
out there was great rivalry to see who could get 
on his skates first and be off. One day I conceived 
the plan of putting on my skates before the school 
was dismissed, expecting to pass out in the crowd 
unnoticed by the master. Accordingly, I got under 
the desk and tackled on my skates, unnoticed indeed 



116 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON. 

by the master, but observed by one of the girls on 
the cross seats, who made some kind of a telegraphic 
signal to him, and when I emerged from under my 
desk, I was invited to visit his, which I was rather 
reluctant to do. However, I was compelled to sub- 
mit, and, all skated as I was, forced to perambulate the 
room, to the no small merriment of the boys upon 
whom I had been attempting to steal a march. The 
old building is still extant, being, I believe, the one 
at the old entrance, on Fourth street, to the institu- 
tions at the Point." 

The first master of the school was Zephaniah 
Wood, of Lunenburg. In May, 1811, when the Com- 
mittee first took the school under their charge, this 
gentleman, then but about twenty years of age, was 
appointed teacher. The religious society, which 
was afterwards incorporated as the Hawes Place 
Congregational Society, was then without a minister, 
and as Mr. Wood was of a serious and studious turn 
of mind, he engaged to preach to them, without any 
other compensation than the sum of $300 which he 
received for teaching school. Mr. Wood was uni- 
versally loved and respected by all with whom he 
was associated, and his untimely death, on the 26th 
of October, 1822, was a source of the greatest lamen- 
tation both to the church over which he officiated 
and to his numerous relatives and friends. He left 
a widow and several young children in the deepest 
affliction. Immediately after his decease. Rev. Lem- 
uel Capen, of Dorchester, was appointed to take 
charge of the school, and entered upon the duties of 
his office Nov. 21st, 1822. Previous to this, at a 
meeting of the Committee, held June 14, 1819, it 
was " Voted, — That two medals be given annually to 
the Boy who most excels in Reading and Writing in 



SCHOOLS. Ill 

the School at South Boston." The names of the 
first medal scholars are not known, as they were not 
recorded. 

At a meeting of the School Committee held Feb. 
18, 1818, it was voted, that the master of the school 
in South Boston be put, in point of salary, upon the 
same footing as the Ushers of the other Public 
Schools. 

At a meeting of the School Committee, held March 
15, 1819, it was voted that the Committee of the 
South School visit the school in South Boston, and 
hire a carriage for that purpose. 

In 1821, there arose some trouble in regard to 
the ownership of the school-house which had been 
built in South Boston, and a committee was chosen 
to inquire into the tenure by which it was held. On 
Feb. 27th, this committee reported, and as their re- 
port gives a little of the history of the school in 
this place, we present parts of it. 

" The Sub-committee appointed to inquire by what 
tenure the school-house at South Boston is held, and 
what right the Town has therein, respectfully ask 
leave to report, — That they have taken the subject 
into consideration ; that in consequence of the loss 
of the records of this Committee embracing the pe- 
riod of time at which said school-house was built, they 
have been unable to ascertain from the best authority 
what votes were passed relative to the subject. 
Your Committee, however, have since their appoint- 
ment visited the school in South Boston, and from 
conversation with some of the citizens of that part 
of the Town, and particularly with Mr. Woodward, 
who appears to have had the principal agency in the 
transaction, they have ascertained the following par« 
ticulars : — 



118 HISTORY OF SOUTft BOSTON. 

" That about three or four years after the annexa- 
tion to this town of that part of Dorchester, an ap- 
plication was made by several of the inhabitants to 
the School Committee for aid in supporting a school 
at that part of the town : the inhabitants having pre* 
.viously made some exertions to establish a private 
school there. The Scliool Committee therefore vot- 
ed an appropriation of three hundred dollars an- 
nually for this object, and authorized a person, 
agreed upon by the inhabitants, to receive the money 
and apply it, under the direction of a committee of 
the inhabitants of South Boston. Mr. Woodward 
contracted with a Mr. Everett, and the house was 
lauilt at an expense of four hundred dollars. Before 
the house was paid for, however, it is stated that the 
inhabitants of South Boston, by voluntary subscrip- 
tion, raised forty or fifty dollars to help out the com- 
pensation of the master and keep him contented. 
The appropriation was afterwards raised to $350, 
and then to $400, and it is now six hundred dollars, 
placing the Master upon the same footing with the 
Ushers of the other public schools." 

Upon the ground of aiding in building the school- 
house, certain persons attempted to get possession 
of it, to be used as a place of worship. The Conv 
mittee, however, ruled against these persons, and the 
right of the Town to the school-house was estab- 
lished. 

About the same time, also, the citizens of South 
Boston began to feel the need of having a new school- 
house, and accordingly, on the 24th of April, 1821, 
a petition to this effect was presented and referred 
to the Sub-Committee of the Franklin School. As 
is usual in such cases, the subject was for a long time 



SCHOOLS. 119 

under deliberation, and it was not till the 20tli of 
February following that it was 

" Voted, — That the School Committee are of the 
opinion that it is expedient that a new school-house 
be built in that part of the city called South Boston, 
and also that the said school-house should consist of 
at least two rooms, each sufficient to accommodate 
150 scholars." A site was selected, and the brick 
•edifice known as the Hawes School-house, and situ- 
ated on Broadway, between F and Dorchester streets, 
was built. One room only was fitted up, the school 
being then so small that the whole building was not 
needed to accommodate the pupils. 

In the fall of 1823, the building was ready for 
use, and the pupils, under the direction of Mr. 
Capen, marched in a procession to the new house, 
and were appropriately addressed by the Rev. Mr. 
Pierpont. 

We find the following in the records of the School 
Committee : — 

"Sept. 7, 1824. Noah Brooks petitioned for the 
use of the room of the new school-house for a sing- 
ing-school." This petition was granted, and there 
are many now resident in South Boston who can 
well remember the singing-school held in the Hawes 
School-house. 

In 1826, Mr. Capen resigned his office as master, 
and was succeeded, on the 5th of September, by Bar- 
num Field, afterwards master of the Franklin School. 
Mr. Field remained here till 1829, when he was 
succeeded by Jairus Lincoln. In 1827 we find the 
school first mentioned as the Hawes School, although 
that name was not fully established till 1830, as we 
find it mentioned as the South Boston School several 
times afterwards in the Records of the School Com- 
mittee. 



120 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

On the 4th of September, 1829, it was Voted, that 
the salary of the Master of the Hawes School be 
$1,000; and in 1833, the master of this school was 
made equal to the masters of tlic other Grammar 
Schools. 

Mr. Lincoln continued master but a few months, 
as he found it impossible to control the wayward- 
ness of the scholars, and on the 9th of February, 
1830, he was succeeded by Mark Anthony DeWolf 
Howe, who was quite a young man and of small sta- 
ture, but he had few equals in efficiency, either as a 
disciplinarian or instructor. If he had continued in 
the Boston schools, as he had serious thoughts of 
doing, he would now probably have been second to 
none of our most distinguished masters. He left the 
Hawes School to take a tutorship in Brown Univer- 
sity, at Providence, R. I., of which he was a most 
honored graduate. He had become greatly attached 
to the school, and was then, as ever since, most 
deeply interested in the elevation of our Common 
Schools. He is now one of the most respectable 
and influential ministers of the Episcopal Church, in 
the City of Philadelphia. 

Mr. Howe resigned February 8th, 1831, when Mr. 
William P. Page was chosen master. During the 
time Mr. Page was in office the previous troubles 
were greatly increased. The master was wanting in . 
efficiency, and had little tact for discipline or govern- 
ment. Truancy was very common, and the boys and 
girls were perfectly lawless. At length, on the 14th of 
August, 1832, Mr. Page was obliged to resign, and 
was succeeded by Mr. Moses W. Walker, who en- 
tered on the duties of his office on the 28th of Au- 
gust. Mr. Walker was well aware of the state of 
the school, and was determined to quell the rebel- 



SCHOOLS. 121 

lious spirit of the scholars. Accordingly, ho entered 
school; and commenced his labors with a whipping 
affair, which caused great excitement. 

From the Records of the School Committee, we 
make several extracts relating to this matter, think- 
ing it may interest those who would like to know 
of the discipline of our first school. 

It appears that Mr. Leonard Harrington, the fa- 
ther of the boy who was flogged, presented a com- 
plaint to the Committee that his son was cruelly 
beaten and wounded by Mr. Moses W. Walker, mas- 
ter of the Hawes School, South Boston, " for no such 
misconduct on the part of the boy as would have 
justified the infliction of even moderate chastisement, 
much less the aggravated whipping he received." 
He asked an investigation of the subject, and an op- 
portunity to be heard before the Committee, that if 
the charges against the master were sustained, he 
might obtain redress. 

To this the master made a long reply, from 
which we give extracts. 

He first remarks that, previous to entering the 
Hawes School, he had learned that it was in a bad 
condition ,* that the boys had in one instance physi- 
cally opposed the master, and that the girls had 
struck the teacher. He then goes on to give an ac- 
count of his first half day in school. 

" I found the scholars collected, and in great dis- 
order. I took the chair, stamped loudly upon the floor, 
and called the school to order. And here for the 
first time Harrington attracted my attention, by 
continuing his talk and laughter. I again enjoined 
silence, directing my remarks particularly to Har- 
rington, after which the house was still. I then said, 
'Hear me. I see many things which I do not like, 
11 



122 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

and which must not be continued. I am about to 
command you to do some few things, and I shall 
speak but once. Be careful to obey me promptly, 
as a failure in this respect will expose you to cer- 
tain punishment.' Seeing a great part of the scholars 
supporting their heads upon their hands, with elbows 
upon their desks, I said to them, ^ The first thing 
which you are to do, is to take your elbows from 
those desks.' This was instantly done by all except 
Harrington, to whom I again addressed myself, in a 
manner which left no room for his mistaking my 
meaning. Upon this he removed his elbows from 
his desk, but assumed a smile in which I read his 
character. The children were then told to fold their 
arms, and to remain in that position until further 
orders. This was done ; but T now observed that 
Harrington and two or three in his immediate vici- 
nity were casting looks at each other and laughing. 
They were ordered to take those smiles from their 
faces; — whereupon Harrington removed his arms 
from the position in which he had just been com- 
manded to hold them, placed his elbows on the desk, 
his hands before his face, and continued laughing and 
looking from behind his hands at the boys about him. 
" After this third exhibition of his indifference to 
my commands, I thought it necessary to make an ex- 
ample of him. Accordingly I called him to my desk 
and bade him place his hands upon the floor, which 
after a little hesitation he did. I then struck him 
upon his posteriors three blows with a rattan, bade 
him stand up, and inquired of him if he was disposed 
to do what I commanded. He made no reply, but 
stood shaking his head. He was ordered to place 
himself in the same position again. This he refused 
to do, but was assisted by my left hand, while with 



SCHOOLS. 123 

the right I inflicted about the same number of blows 
as before. He was again tohl to stand up, and asked 
the same question, to which he muttered, ' yes.' I 
told him to satisfy me of his sincerity by walking to 
the farther side of the room lightly upon his toes. 
He moved off in a most impudently swaggering man- 
ner. He was called back, and allowed another op- 
portunity, but not thinking it best to improve it, he 
was again punished in a similar manner. On being 
allowed to stand, he was asked if he would obey me, 
to which he very promptly replied that he would. 
He was called on for the same evidence of his dis- 
position as before, which he gave to my satisfaction. 
I then bade him lie down upon his back, and get up, 
which he did. This last he was called on to repeat, 
which being done to my acceptance, he was allowed 
to take his seat." 

The whole subject was referred to a Special Com- 
mittee appointed by the School Committee, and after 
hearing both parties, and listening to the evidence 
of several of the pupils present, together with the 
opinion of a physician who was called to examine 
the wounds, it was decided that as the master was 
not in anger at the time, but appeared perfectly 
cool, and as the wounds were not of a nature to 
cause the supposition that the boy was inhumanly or 
cruelly punished, therefore Mr. Harrington had leave 
to withdraw. Mr. Walker was thus upheld in his 
first attempt to subdue the insubordinate spirit of 
the young South Bostonians, and he continued his 
attempts till it appears he had whipped enough to 
secure the obedience of the scholars. His course, 
however, did not meet the approval of the parents, 
who thought him too severe in his treatment of their 
children, and on the 14th of January, 1834, he re- 



124 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

signed his office, and Joseph Harrington, Jr., was 
chosen to take his place. 

On the 27th of March, it was voted to fit np the 
upper story of the new school house, and also to 
supply the school with new desks. This measure 
was rendered necessary by the rapid increase of 
scholars. 

As soon as Mr. Harrington assumed the duties of 
his office, a great change was observed. His policy 
was altogether different from that of Mr. Walker, 
and its good effects were immediately felt. Instead 
of using the rod for every little offence, he attempted 
to subdue the scholars by appealing to their sense of 
right and wrong. Did a boy break a rule of the 
school, instead of calling him to his desk and giving 
him a whipping, he allowed him an opportunity to 
reflect on his conduct, and strove to convince him of 
the guilt of his behavior. He endeavored to show 
that he had an interest in the welfare of his pupils, 
and did not punish them out of revenge. He was in 
the habit of joining with the boys in their sports, 
and was always ready to perform anything which 
would conduce to their happiness. Often he pro- 
posed excursions to the country, or visits to exhibi- 
tions, and his mind seemed unceasingly occupied in 
devising plans to secure not only the love and esteem, 
of his pupils, but also their advancement in a moral 
point of view. In school he was strict, and yet kind. 
A perfect lesson was required if a boy would meet 
his approval, and the pupils were urged to study 
from a desire to please him. He invented the posi- 
tions which are now in use in nearly every school in 
New England, and adopted sucJi rules in regard to 
truancy that the boys were seldom or never absent 
from school unless obliged to remain at home. 



SCHOOLS. 125 

Hawes Juvenile Association. 

Mr. Harrington was the founder of the Hawes Ju- 
venile Association, a society whose influence was 
most beneficial on the youth of South Boston, and 
whose effects are still felt in our community. This 
association was the first of the kind known, and al- 
though hundreds have since been formed, South Bos- 
ton has the honor of giving birth to the first, and 
Mr. Harrington has the enviable distinction of being 
the founder of an institution which has had great in- 
fluence upon the moral character of our schools. 

The following letter from Mr. Harrington gives 
an excellent account of the Association and its ob- 
jects, and will be read with interest by those who 
have participated in its benefits. 

''Hartford, Nov. 2Uh, 1849. 

" Dear Sir, — Trusting that you will excuse what 
must be a somewhat hurried communication, I will 
say whatever occurs to me touching the formation of 
the ' Hawes Juvenile Association-' 

" Profane swearing had always seemed to me a 
most useless, as well as a criminal habit-— a habit 
that was likely to leave an unfavorable moral impress 
upon character, yet which was not the result of any 
great depravity of character. 

" General moral inculcations, or specific precepts, 
would have their eifect in lessening this evil in a 
school^ but that which springs from thoughtlessness, 
and from corrupt example, and which has come to be 
rather an external habit, than the expression of radi- 
cal viciousness, needs external agencies, perpetual 
reminders, the constraint of favorable circumstances, 
to subdue it — and in most cases such agencies will, 
in youth, correct the habit, 
11"^ 



126 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

" Such au external constraint I determined to or- 
ganize in the Hawes School. Yet not external, only, 
did I anticipate such an organization would be. I 
trusted that it would quicken the moral sentiment 
of the school, and that, by bringing an actual rein- 
forcement to individual virtue, as well as by its con- 
stant attrition against a superficial habit, it would 
effect a great change in respect to profaneness. 

'^ Having matured my plan, and having prepared 
the boys for a solemn consideration of the subject, I 
one day requested all who did not use profane lan- 
guage, nor any thing that approached to it, to rise. 
There was a mingled expression of curiosity, inter- 
est, almost of alarm, in the school, as the request 
was made. Some fifteen or twenty boys, out of near 
two hundred, if I recollect aright, stood up. 

" These constituted the pure nucleus for the pro- 
posed Association. I opened my plans. They were 
received with apparent approval and pleasure. We 
had meetings ; a constitution was formed ; a name 
was adopted; officers were chosen, and a Library 
was set on foot. 

" The association had privileges. It was of course 
honored by the teachers of the school. Its influence 
was soon manifest to a most gratifying degree. The 
practice which it was instituted to suppress, fell at 
once into condemnation, and was gradually banished . 
from the school — not that it was ever entirely extir- 
pated in individuals ; but I think it may be said that 
a spirit hostile to the practice pervaded the school 
— and under such circumstances, a vice whose foun- 
dation is deeper than habit must fall. 

" The Association, before many months, numbered, 
.1 should think, half or two-thirds of the school. 

" Parents cordially approved the movement; and 



SCHOOLS. 127 

it is my conviction that its good results were extend- 
ed into homes, acting upon others than the pupils of 
the school. How could it be otherwise ? 

" When children should come home, and speak of 
the Association and its objects, of their own partici- 
pation in its privileges, of the necessity of guardian- 
ship over their tongues, of the forfeiture of member- 
ship by any indulgence in the habit of swearing, how 
could it be otherwise, than that parents, or brothers, 
or even friends, should be led to think, and to for- 
bear a habit of whose folly and sin they would be 
thus incessantly yet unobtrusively reminded ? 

" It was a special object with members of the As* 
sociation to dissuade those whom they heard using 
profane language, from perseverance in the habit; 
and if any who were members were found lapsing^ 
they were admonished by a committee, and, if the 
case demanded, were suspended, or expelled. 

" I made it a point to leo.rn the restrictive power 
of the Association ; and for this purpose lent an ear 
to the conversation of the boys, in their sports. Oc« 
casionally I have stood concealed, of moonlight 
nights, where I could overhear their language when 
they were gathered, in large numbers, at play ; but 
it is my impression that, on these occasions, I never 
heard from one of my own boys a profane word. 

" The influence of the Association seems to have 
been acknowledged by strangers, A distinguished 
gentleman of Boston, riding for his health to South 
Boston Point, was obliged of course to pass the school^ 
house, which he often did at times when the boys were 
out at recess, or at play near the building. It seems 
that their decorous behavior, and their freedom from 
objectionable language, attracted his attention. He 
stopped and made some inquiry as to the cause of 



128 filSTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

such striking and agreeable results. Having learned 
it, he, with a very kind letter, enclosed anonymously 
FIFTY DOLLARS, for the benefit of the Library of the 
Association. 

" It is of course easy to see that the same influen- 
ces that would guard a boy from profane swearing, 
would also shield him from indecencies of expres- 
sion. That this was the case, I was fully convinced. 

" The Association held regular meetings. I myself 
was a member. The affairs of the society were ad- 
ministered by proper officers and committees. It 
was one object to familiarize the members with par- 
liamentary forms, in their debates and transactions 
of business. 

" You ask me to speak of the exhibitions of the 
Association. They were occasions of deep and uni» 
versal interest. I think they occurred semi-annually. 
Original addresses and poems were spoken at 
them ; or perhaps some short drama, written to il* 
lustrato the evils of profaneness, was acted. The 
exercises were interspersed with music. 

"Delegations from similar societies in adjacent 
towns, with their badges, <fec., were often present, 
and contributed greatly to the interest of the oc- 
casions. 

" It is not to be denied that to sustain a constant 
interest in the Association, and to preserve it as a, 
living agent of moral influence, required no little 
sacrifice of time, and no slight exercise of ingenuity. 
But if there is one act of my life which in the re- 
membrance gives me satisfaction, it is that of the 
establishment of the ^ Hawes Juvenile Association.' 

" I have of late years met but few of the young 
men (then boys) who were connected with the Asso- 
ciation, but it would be pleasant to hear their testi- 



SCHOOLS. 129 

mony respecting its value. Perhaps I overrate its 
permanent usefulness. 

'' As I have, in obedience to your request, run 
through this general sketch, the old scenes which it 
describes have arisen vividly to view. My relations 
to teachers and pupils have been revived, and I can- 
not but hope that they, in some measure, participate 
with me in pleasant remembrances of the period 
when we were all connected in labor and duty. 

Truly yours, Jos. Hakeington." 

To show more fully the design of the " Hawes Ju- 
venile Association," we here introduce the Preamble. 

" We, the undersigned members of the Hawes 
School, regarding profane swearing as a most per- 
nicious sin, and earnestly desiring to abstain from it 
ourselves, and to check its progress in others, have 
resolved to form ourselves into a society for the 
suppression of profanity, and to be governed by the 
following regulations, as a Constitution." 

The 6th Article of the Constitution defines what 
swearing was considered by the Association, and 
therefore we copy it. 

" Profane swearing shall be divided into two class- 
es. In the First Class shall be comprehended the 
use of the name of '■ God,' or the ^ Saviour,' together 
with that of ' damn,' or its compounds, and ^ hell,' 
or its compounds. In the Second Class shall be in- 
cluded all other words which may indirectly come 
under the title of profane, such as ^ curse,' ^ devil,' 
and their compounds, of which the society shall 
judge." 

^ The following is a list of the Original Members of 
the Association, which is copied from the Records of 
the Society : — 



130 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

" Joseph Harrington, Jr., John Alex'r Harris, El- 
kanah C. Crosby, George A. Stevens, Lewis F. Ba- 
ker, James Moore, Calvin F. How, Samuel M. Bed- 
lington, William McCarthy, Willis H. Colburn, Ben- 
jamin Thacher, E. H. Rogers, F. H. Clapp, Theodore 
Russell Glover, B. Capen, I). Nickerson, Joseph B. 
Johnson, Ober Spiller, Lyman G. Bruce, William E. 
Jenkins, James B. Rogers, Albert H. Blanchard, 
George T. Thacher, Charles W. Dexter, John W. 
Whiston, M. E. Day, Warren W. W. Glover, Max- 
well Poole, John Burrill, Joseph S. Binney, Nehe- 
miah P. Mann, Rowland E. Jenkins, Richard Faxon, 
William B. Fairchild, Tho's Hoar, John B. Pope, 
David W. shorn, Edward W. Haynes, Richard 
Seward, Edwin A. Sherman." 

Soon after the society became prosperous, the 
sins of lying and stealing were added to that of 
swearing, and any member who was convicted of 
either of these crimes was expelled. 

The Exhibitions to which allusion is made in Mr. 
Harrington's letter, were of the most interesting 
nature, and were productive of much good. We 
have before us the Orders of Exercises of several of 
them, but too much space would be occupied by 
copying them. 

On the occasion of the Annual Exhibition of the 
Hawes School, on Wednesday, August 23, 1837, an 
Original Address was delivered before the Hawes 
Juvenile Association, by Master George A. Stevens, 
one of the pupils of the school. This address was 
printed, and, although the writer was but fourteen 
years of age, it would do credit to a much more ma- 
ture mind. 

On Wednesday, March 14, 1838, the First Anni- 
versary Celebration of the Association took place. 



SCHOOLS. . 131 

On this occasion, an address wars made by Master 
William S. Tliacher, and original Hymns, written by 
Misses Irene S. Thacher and Rebecca A. Goodridge, 
were smig. 

On Wednesday, March 13, 1839, the Second Anni- 
versary was celebrated, and so intense was the in- 
terest felt by the citizens of South Boston, that the 
performances were held in the Baptist Church, and 
consisted of an address by Master Henry W. Alex- 
ander, and a Poem by Master Wm. B. Wells. On 
this occasion an Original Moral Drama, illustrative 
of the evils of Profaneness, was introduced. This 
Drama was written by Mr. Harrington, and ten 
misses and eight lads took part in it. 

The Third Anniversary Celebration was held in 
the Phillips Church, on the 4th of March, 1840; and 
on Thursday evening, April 21, there was a Grand 
Jm^nile Concert at the same place. The design of 
this was to raise funds to increase a Library which 
had been collected by the Association. The tickets 
of admission were twenty-five cents, and the house 
was crowded. On this occasion another drama, 
written by Mr. Harrington, was presented, and was 
considered so interesting that it was published in 
book-form. 

The interest of this celebration was much en- 
hanced by the attendance of delegations from kindred 
societies that had sprung up in the surrounding 
towns, and who came in a body, with appropriate 
banners and badges. 

On the 29th of August, 1834, the Hawes School- 
House was struck by lightning during a violent thun- 
der shower. The pupils were engaged in studying 
at the time, and, as may be supposed, were much 
alarmed. With one impulse they made for the 



132 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON. 

door, and tumbled* heels over heads down stairs, — 
boys, girls, books, caps and bonnets in one mass. 
Fortunately no one was seriously injured, although 
several were somewhat bruised, and all v^ere ex- 
ceedingly frightened. After the alarm was over, 
the children were again collected, and Mr. Harring- 
ton made an appropriate address, and joined Avith 
them in a prayer to Him who had preserved them 
in time of danger. 

The following laughable incident is related : — At 
the time when the lightning struck, a foreigner was 
engaged in digging in the vicinity. Half frightened 
out of his wits, he started on the full run, and met 
on his way the gentleman for whom he was working. 

"What is the matter?" said the gentleman. 

" Sure, an' a ball of fire jest fell down by your 
house." 

On going towards the school-house, just as he ar- 
rived in sight of it, the gentleman saw a large swarm 
of wasps that had been frightened from their nest 
on the eaves. Thinking it smoke, he began to cry 
" Fire ! Fire !" and could not for some time be per- 
suaded that he was mistaken. 

The next day the scholars were engaged in study- 
ing, when a piece of mortar fell between the ceiling 
and the wall. Although the sky was clear, the child- 
ren thought the school-house was struck again by- 
lightning, and were again much frightened. 

In January, 1838, the School Committee decided 
to try the experiment of teaching Music in the Gram- 
mar Schools, and into the Hawes School was the 
study first introduced. Mr. Lowell Mason was the 
first master. The experiment proved successful, 
and music is now one of the prominent studies in 
the Grammar Schools. Mr. Johnson was the next 



SCHOOLS. 133 

music master, and he was succeeded by Mr. Albert 
Drake, who is still in oiSce, and by his skill in im- 
parting musical knowledge has become deservedly 
popular. 

On the 1st of July, 1839, Mr. Harrington felt it 
his duty to resign his situation to prepare himself 
for the ministry. He left, amidst the mutual regrets 
of his pupils and the citizens of South Boston. As 
a testimonial of respect and gratitude, his pupils 
presented him with a very valuable gift. 

Mr. Frederick Crafts was chosen his successor, 
and retained the office till he was appointed Master 
of the Bio-elow School. 

On the 11th of August, 1835, it was voted to have 
a Writing Master in the Hawes School, with a salary 
of $1,000. Mr. John A. Harris was appointed to 
the office. 

On the 17th of January, 1848, it was voted to 
divide the school into two distinct portions, one to 
be called the " Hawes School for Boys," and the 
other the " Hawes School for Girls." This arrange- 
ment was continued till the completion of the Bige- 
low School-House, on Fourth street, when the Hawes 
School for Girls became the Bigelow School. 

In August, 1852, Mr. Harris was succeeded b} 
Mr. Samuel Barrett, the present master. 



CHAPTER XII. 



SCHOOLS — CONTINUED. 



The Hawes School may be considered the Parent 
School in South Boston, as from it have sprung no 
12 



134 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

less than two new institutions of learning. In May, 
1840, the Sub-Committee of the Hawes School, in 
their Quarterly Report of the condition of the school, 
stated that there were belonging to it 292 boys and 
271 girls — total, 563. The school-house was only 
capable of seating 468 pupils, and hence nearly a 
hundred were unprovided with seats. The Commit- 
tee strongly recommended that a new school be im- 
mediately organized. After considerable discussion, 
an order was passed, authorizing the Committee of 
the Hawes School to hire a proper room, fit it up, 
and procure teachers, provided the cost should not 
exceed $2,000. 

The Committee immediately hired Franklin Hall, 
at the corner of Turnpike ancl Fourth streets; and 
on the first Monday after the June vacation, a por- 
tion of the Hawes School, under the charge of Jona- 
than Battles, Usher in the above-named school, and 
Miss Lucy Floyd and Miss Lydia S. Brooks, Assist- 
ants, were removed to this Hall, and designated the 
Branch School. The names of one hundred and 
seventy-eight pupils are enrolled on the books of 
this school, as having been removed from the Hawes 
School. 

On November 2, 1840, the Committee reported 
that the school in Franklin Hall had so increased 
that it was found necessary to transfer a part of 
the pupils back to the Hawes School. The Commit- 
tee also added that the citizens of Ward XH. had a 
right to expect a new school-house, and in their opin- 
ion a new one must be immediately built. 

In the early part of 1841, an order was passed 
authorizing the erection of a new school-house for 
the Branch School, on a piece of land on Broadway, 
between B-and C streets. 



SCHOOLS. 



135 



On November 2, 1841, a committee was appointed 
to report a name for the new school. After some 
deliberation they proposed that it should be called 
the " Everett School." This order was indefinitely 
postponed. 

On January 11, 1842, another committee was ap- 
pointed for the same purpose, who reported that it 
should be known as the " Lowell School." This 
name, however, did not meet with favor, and at last 
it was ordered that the school be called the Mather 
School, in honor of Richard Mather, one of the first 
ministers in Dorchester. 

On Thursday, March 3d, 1842, the school-house 
was finished, and first occupied by the school. At 
half past 2 in the afternoon, there was an exhibition, 
at which the pupils were examined in their various 
studies. Declamations by the boys of the first class 
also added to the interest of the occasion. The sal- 
ary of Mr. Battles was increased, and Mr. Isaac F. 
Shepard was chosen to assist him as Usher, and in 
May the school was reported as being in a prosper- 
ous condition, and numbering 352 pupils. All resid- 
ing above C street were required to attend the 
Hawes School, while all below were to be connected 
with the Mather. 

The school continued without being fully organ- 
ized till August, 1843, when Mr. Josiah A. Stearns, 
Usher in the Adams School, was appointed Grammar 
Master, and Mr. Jonathan Battles, Writing Master. 

From this time the school seemed to receive a 
new impulse. It had long labored under many dis- 
advantages arising from the want of a complete or- 
ganization, but when this was accomplished, it im- 
mediately rose to a high rank among its kindred 
institutions. 



136 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

In October, 1847, the Hawes School was so crowd- 
ed, and so large a number attending the Mather 
School were found to reside in the Hawes district, 
it was thought best to change the school-districts, 
and accordingly all pupils residing east of the centre 
of D street were obliged to attend the Hawes, while 
all to the west of said street belonged to the Mather. 

The first medals were awarded to William B. 
Fairchild, Francis H. Jenney, Nancy Porter Walton, 
Sarah Ames Lorino- and Elizabeth Brown. 

In March, 1854, the school was placed under a 
single head,; Mr. Battles retiring, and Mr. Stearns 
becoming Principal. 

In January, 1856, the name of the school was 
changed from Mather to Lawrence, in honor of a 
patron of the School. The school edifice still re- 
tains its old name. 

The Mather School-House was erected at a cost 
of $21,314 80, and is 3 stories high. In .the upper 
story, it had originally a large hall, occupied by the 
Grammar Department, while beneath it was a room 
of the same size, used by the Writing Department. 
Connected with each of these rooms was a recitation- 
room. On the basement was a large Ward Room, 
used for public purposes, and also occupied in lat- 
ter times by a portion of the school. Two rooms 
for Primary Schools were likewise contained in the 
building. 

In the fall of 1856 the building was re-modelled, 
so that the entrances are now made at the centre of 
the sides of the building, into a passage way furnish- 
ed with stairs giving access to eight Primary School- 
Rooms on the second and third stories. The first 
story is occupied in front by the Ward Room, and 
in the rear by two Primary School-Rooms. 



SCHOOLS. 137 

* 

Lawrence Association. 

The Laweence Association of the Mather School 
was established in January, 1844. Its objects were 
simihxr to those of the Association already mentioned 
as existing in the Hawes School. 

It received its name out of respect to Mr. Amos 
Lawrence, a part of whose donation of books to the 
Hawes School now constituted its Library. It was 
at first conducted solely by the boys ; but under their 
management it soon proved a total failure. It was, 
however, thoroughly re-organized in the spring of 
1846, when some improvements were made, and the 
Grammar Master was chosen President. Thus firmly 
founded, the affairs of the society took a new turn. 
On May 1st, 1846, the Association sent the Preamble 
and first Article of their Constitution to Mr. Law- 
rence, who answered in a manner characteristic of 
the man. The following account of the occurrence, 
with Mr. Lawrence's letter to a committee of the 
Association, we copy from the Boston Atlas : — 

" A committee of three little boys was constituted, 
who on May-day morning acquainted their benefac- 
tor with the object of the Association, and the res- 
pect intended by what had been done. In a few 
days a gentleman's carriage halted at the scliool- 
house gate ; the members of the committee were 
summoned to appear ; and, presently afterwards, 
they were toiling up stairs, in much excitement, each 
with a bundle of books as large as he could carry. 
In reporting to the Association, the chairman stated 
that ' The Committee were called to the door, 
where they met a very benevolent-looking gentleman^ 
who spoke very kindly to them — told them they 
were good boys — and gave each of them a bundle of 
12* 



138 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

books — and said lie lioped they would fry to improve 
all i?i their power.' The bundles were found to con- 
tain about one hundred volumes, sundry valuable 
articles of stationery, ten dollars in moneV; and the 
following very affecting note : — 

' Monday Morning, 10 o'clock, May 4th, '48. 

'My Dear Youxg Friend's: — 

' Your " May-Flower/' in the form of the note and 
Preamble and first Article of the " Lawrence Asso- 
ciation of the Mather School," I shall keep as a pre- 
cious flower for my grandsons ; and by this you may 
know the estimation I have for your objects in form- 
ing, thus early, the habits so important to your future 
well-being. The difference between starting just 
right or a little icrong, in the journey of life, may 
make just the difference of your being on the sunny 
side of the hill, with pure air, and pleasant objects 
above and around you, at the age of mature life, or 
being in the dark slough, or the swamp, among rep- 
tiles, and insects, and poisonous and tormenting 
weeds, and dogwood, and briers, and thistles. In 
;another communication I shall tell you more : but in 
this I have only strength to say, that a few months 
since I had a young son, just such in every thing as I 
wished. He lies buried in Mount Auburn, under the 
^' Old Oak," which the keeper of the grounds will 
explain to you. When you visit this spot, cast a 
twig or a flower upon it, as I trust that his spirit is 
in unison with such as feel as he felt. With this you 
will receive some of his books, and some others, 
which I have hastily gathered, and which will help 
to keep him and your friend in mind. May you be 



SCHOOLS. 139 

strengthened to go forward in all good works. So 
prays Amos Lawrence. 

To C. J. P. Allen. Jr., ) Committee of the 

DK o^^.r,,^. .^^ f Lawrence Associatiou 

. A. bOUTHARD, > q£ ^jje 

N. S. JeNNEY, ) Mather School. 

^P. S. The bill enclosed will help in little mat- 
ters ; the penknives to keep the pens mended, the 
blank books for memoranda, &c. A. L.' " 

With this aid, the Association went on its way 
rejoicing, and soon exerted an excellent influence 
over the pupils of the school. The citizens of South 
Boston, together with the teachers of the school, con- 
tributed to the funds of the Association, and Mr. 
Lawrence also made repeated donations, until the 
library is now quite large and valuable. 

Mr. Lawrence had been deeply afflicted by the 
loss of his son, a young man of promising talents. 
The Association sympathized strongly with Mr. Law- 
rence in his sorrow, and in October, 1846, the mem- 
bers visited Mt. Auburn to pay a tribute to the 
memory of Robert Means Lawrence, whose remains 
are there deposited. In two omnibuses, the mem- 
bers were conveyed to the gate-way, when they 
marched in silence up the main avenue. As they 
approached the grave, they sang a solemn, plaintive 
song, and then gathered around the last resting-place 
of their friend. Under the old oak that overhangs 
the Lawrence Enclosure (which is well represented 
by an engraving on the next page), they all stood 
in perfect silence, and listened with serious^ demean- 
or to some appropriate remarks from Mr. Josiah A. 
Stearns, the President of the Association, and then 
they united in singing the following original hymn, 
to the tune of " Home, sweet Home " : — 



140 



HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 




SCHOOLS. 141 

TO THE MEMORY OP ROBERT MEANS LAWRENCE. 

The old oak is riven, its branches lie low, 
And tears of affection abundantly flow ; 
For blasted, the promise of excellence here ; 
And earth now encloses the lov'd one so dear I 

Deal', dear, lov'd, lov'd, dear ! 
And earth now encloses the lov'd one so dear. 

O fear not, he shouted, my spirit goes up ; 

My Father has mingled and given the cup. 

And through the dark valley I fearlessly roam, 

For lov'd ones have passed it, who beckon me home ! 

Home, home, lov'd, lov'd home ! 
For lov'd ones. have passed it, who beckon me home. 

The pride of his father, his mother's delight. 
Then yielded his spii-it and passed out of sight ; 
His life, though but transient, this tribute had won ; 
In all things he liv'd a most dutiful son. 

Son, son, lov'd, lov'd son ! 
In all things he liv'd a most dutiful son. 

And he, that reposes beneath the cold sod, 
A spirit in glory, walks brightly with God ; 
So, bring ye of flowers, the fairest in bloom. 
And sprinkle then- fragrance to hallow the tomb ; 

Tomb, tomb, sad, sad tomb ! 
And sprinkle their fragrance to hallow the tomb. 

Before us he slumbers in garden of love ; 
And old oak is pointing to treasure above ; 
Bright angels are glancing, and heaven looks on, 
Delighting to honor the spirit that's gone. 

Gone, gone, lov'd, lov'd, gone ! 
Delighting to honor the spirit that's gone. 

The moist eye, the quivering lip and the lieaving 
breast clearly showed the deep emotion of those 
I who took part in this mournful requiem, and an influ- 
{ ence was exerted which will ever be remembered. 



142 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON. 

The next month after this visit to Mt. Auburn to 
express their sympathy with their patron in his af- 
fliction, the Association was called to mourn the loss 
of one of their own number, an especial favorite of 
all — one who by his winning manners and affable dis- 
position had endeared himself in a peculiar manner 
to all his associates. On Monday, the 30th of No- 
vember, 1846, David Anson Southard, who had 
been with them in as good health and spirits as any 
on Saturday morning, died from injuries occasioned 
by an accident which happened to him in his play. 
This sudden affliction excited deep feeling among 
the members of the Association ; and as they gather- 
ed around his coffin they sang, to the same tune in 
which he had joined them so shortly before, lines 
composed for the occasion and expressive of their 
deep sorrow : — 

" O ! low lies the brother our hearts held so dear, 
And now have we come here to follow his bier ; 
Onr bosoms are swelling, our full eyes are dim, 
For cold must the heart be that never lov'd him — 

Him, him, — lov'd, lov'd him ! 
For cold must the heart be that never lov'd him." 

So deeply did this affect them, that the sad mea- 
sure was often interrupted by their sobs and tears, 
and it was long before the unmeaning laugh and 
foolish chatter were heard again among the school- 
mates of the departed. Since this first instance of 
death among the members of the Association, many 
of their number have passed beyond the line of Time ; 
and as at irregular intervals they have been called 
to part with loved companions, they have gathered 
in a body around the coffin of each, and paid the 
last sad tribute of affection and respect. 



SCHOOLS. 143 

The first visit to Mt. Auburn was followed by 
several others at the invitation of Mr. Lawrence^ all 
of which afforded much gratification to the members. 
He seemed to take a very deep interest in the Asso- 
ciation, visiting the school frequently, and making 
many donations. 

In February, 1847, he sent over to the Associa- 
tion two purses of money, and requested each mem- 
ber to contribute half a dollar from their contents 
towards the fund for the relief of the destitute in 
Ireland, then being raised in the city. One hundred 
and two members and four hundred and thirty-eight 
other pupils of the school availed themselves of the 
privilege, and contributed one hundred and sixty 
dollars. 

On Christmas day, 1849, a silver cup was present- 
ed Mr. Lawrence by the misses of the Association. 

The last time Mr. Lawrence visited the school, he 
was accompanied by General Franklin Pierce, at 
that time President elect of the United States. 

On the night of December 31st, 1852, he died 
quite suddenly, and his funeral services were attend- 
ed on the 4th of January, 1853, in Brattle Street 
Church, Boston. The Association attended, and 
gathering around the coffin and strewing it with 
flowers, sang the following hymn : — 

He has gone — he has gone — 

To his spirit home; 
And oh, it thrills his soul with joy, 

In realms of bliss to roam ; 
But we must shed the burning tear 

To part with him we love ; 
And now for us the world is gloom, 

Since he has gone above. 



144 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

He has gone — he has gone — 

To his spirit home ; 
And oh, it thrills his soul with joy, 

In realms of bliss to roam. 

Weeping eyes — broken hearts — 

Oft he bid rejoice ; 
And homes of woe were full of praise. 

That heard his loving voice ; 
For oft he soothed poor sorrow's tear, 

And wept when they were sad ; 
And many were the orphan forms, 

His gen'rous bounty clad. 
Weej)ing eyes — broken hearts — 

Oft he bid rejoice ; 
And homes of woe were full of praise. 

That heard his loving voice. 

Gentle words — heav'nly thoughts — 

Linger where he trod ; 
And oh, it was oiu: childhood's charm, 

To hear him talk of God ; 
Then let us ever strive to live. 

As he, our friend, has done ; 
That we may reach the happy life 

Which he has now begun. 
Gentle words — heav'nly thoughts — 

Linger where he trod ; 
And oh, it was our childhood's charm, 

To hear him talk of God. 

Fare thee well — fare thee well — 

We around thee weep ; 
But oh, we love thee, father, still, — 

And angels guard thy sleep. 
The kind " Old Oak. " for us no more 

Shall sheltering branches spread ; 
And oh, our hearts are wrung with grief, 

For he we lov'd is dead. 



SCHOOLS. 145 

Fare thee well — fare thee well — 

We around thee weep ; 
But oh, we love thee, father, still, — 

And angels guard thy sleep. 

Since Mr. Lawrence's death, his son Amos A. 
Lawrence has evinced a deep interest in the Associ- 
ation, which is still in a most flourishing condition. 
To encourage the literary efforts of the members, 
he has distributed among them, in the form of prizes 
for excellent essays, the sum of forty dollars, an- 
nually. 



CHAPTER XIIL 

SCHOOLS — CONTINUED. 

Bigelow School. 

In 1849, the two Grammar Schools in South Bos- 
ton became so crowded that it was deemed necessary 
that another school should be immediately organized 
and a school-house built. After considerable delay^, 
an order was passed for the erection of a school- 
house on the corner of E and Fourth streets, and on 
Thursday, May 2d, 1850, the Bigelow School-House 
was dedicated with appropriate ceremonies. Ad- 
dresses were made by His Honor, Mayor Bigelow, 
for whom the school was named ; Barn as Seaes, Esq., 
Secretary of the Massachusetts Board of Education, 
and by other distinguished gentlemen, and the fol- 
lowing dedicatory Hymn, written by John Tillson, 
was then sung by seventeen young ladies in a pecu- 
liarly beautiful manner. 
13 



146 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON. 

Fount of Wisdom ! Source of Light ! 

Father, Teacher, Friend and Guide ; 
Let thy sacred influence bright, 

O'er this hallowed scene preside; 
While we grateful homage bring. 

And our cheerful voices raise ; 
Aid our vocal powers to sing — 

Teach us how to hymn thy praise I 

For the rich and varied lore. 

Educated mind imparts ; 
For the treasures, here in store, 

Give us glad and thankful hearts. 
For the institutions great, 

Which our Commonwealth sustains : — 
All that elevates the State, — 

Faith's pure shrines, and Art's proud fanes I 

For the intellectual wealth, 

Which exalts the present age : — 
Social culture, — moral health, — 

Which the masted' minds engage ! 
All these blessings, freely shared. 

To thy bounteous hand we owe ; 
From thy care and kind regard. 

All our streams of knowledge flow- 
Truth and Science, here unite. 

For thy glory and our weal — - 
To improve thy gifts aright, 

Fill ouj youthful hearts with zeal ; 
On this stately Edifice, 

Rear'd in learning's holy cause, 
Shed thy beams of heavenly grace, 

Guard and rule it by thy laws ! 

The cost of the building itself was $31^000, and 
the land on which it stands was 1 8,5 00, making the 
total expense $39,500. The building is 50 feet high. 



SCHOOLS. 147 

A splendid clock, with two dials placed on the cast 
and west ends of the house, is of the greatest conve- 
nience to the citizens of Ward XII. This clock was 
presented by Mayor Bigelow, and is another evidence 
of his desire for the happiness and well-being of the 
public. 

The Bigelow School-House, standing as it does on 
high ground, commands a very extensive prospect, 
and from the Hall can be enjoyed a splendid view of 
the harbor, the city proper, and all the neighboring 
towns. (See engraving on next leaf.) 

The Bigelow School is composed wholly of girls, 
and has at the present time (1857) above five hun- 
dred pupils, including about twenty who, with an 
equal number of boys belonging to the Hawes School, 
are, on account of their remoteness, taught in two 
Branch Schools, one at the Point and the other at 
Washington Village. 

The fourth story of the building is wholly occu- 
pied by a large hall. Each of the other stories is 
divided into four rooms ; those of the second and 
third stories being furnished with desks and chairs, 
two of them for 56 pupils, and the remaining six for 
G3 pupils each. The rooms on the lower floor are 
occupied by Primary Schools ; there is also an Inter- 
mediate School for girls in one of the rooms of the 
second story. 

The Bigelow School proper (that is, in the build- 
ing) is taught by a master and seven female assis- 
tants. The five primary schools have, on an average, 
about sixty-five pupils each. The whole number of 
children attending school in the building is above 
seven hundred and fifty. 

Mr. Frederick Crafts was first master, and was 
succeeded by Mr. Joseph Hale in August, 1852. 



148 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON. 

Lawrence School. 

The old School-HousG having become far too small 
to accommodate the pupils desirous of attending, 
appropriations were made for a new school edi- 
fice, and on the 11th of September, 1856, the Law- 
rence School was removed to the magnificent build- 
ing at the corner of Third and B streets. This edi- 
fice, 60 feet by 90 feet on the ground, is built of 
brick and covered with mastic; its walls are double, 
with a space between the bricks to secure dryness 
and facilitate ventilation. It is nearly a fire-proof 
building, all the partitions being of brick and the 
space between the floors being filled with hard 
cement. Its interior is finished with chestnut wood 
and varnished. It is four stories high, and contains 
fourteen school-rooms, a large hall capable of seat- 
ing five hundred persons, a small room for the Li- 
brary of the Lawrence Association, and another for 
the master, which is papered and carpeted and fur- 
nished with a library of reference and a cabinet of 
curiosities and minerals. The building is heated 
throughout by steam, has entirely separate yards for 
the boys and girls, and in the basement a large shel- 
tered play-ground for the children, forming altoge- 
ther one of the finest school-houses in Boston. (An 
engraved view of it is given on another page.) 

The cost of the building and the land on which it 
stands was between $60,000 and $70,000. Itisapleas- 
ing coincidence that it bears the name of one of the 
warmest friends and patrons of the youth of South 
Boston, and also has a deep historical interest, inas- 
much as it is situated on the precise spot where 
stood the fortification on Nook's Llill, the erec- 
tion of which, as has been fully stated in a preceding 




BIGELOW SCHOOL-IIULSE— Erected in 1849. (Page 147.) 




I II jiii lii ii . I i II 



If nil ilLlliif 





LAWRENCE SCHOOL-HUL feE— Erected in 1856. (Page 148.) 



SCHOOLS. 149 

chapter of this work, caused the British to evacuate 
Boston. On Tuesday, March 17th, 1857, the 81st 
anniversary of the evacuation, this beautiful building 
was dedicated to the cause of learning by appropri- 
ate services. The exercises consisted of prayer, 
reading the scriptures, presentation of the keys, 
addresses, and the singing by the pupils of original 
songs, two of which were composed by the master 
and one by Mr. C, J. F. Allen, Jr., a former pupil. 
The Hall was decorated with flowers, and the black 
boards were covered with beautiful drawings execut- 
ed by the pupils. The doors of the several rooms 
being thrown open, exhibited to visitors the happy 
countenances of the children who occupied them. 
Rev. Charles S. Porter presided, and the occasion 
was honored by the presence of Alexander H. Rice, 
Mayor of the City, the venerable Hon. Josiah Quin- 
CY, Richard Frothingham, Jr., Esq., Samuel GIreele, 
Esq., Ex-Governor Boutwell, Rev. Thomas B. Fox, 
Rev. R. W. Clark, Mr. Philbrick, Superintendent 
of the Boston Schools, and other gentlemen. The 
services were of a deeply interesting character, and 
were concluded by singing the original hymn, one 
stanza of which we insert. 

Proudly inscribed with the name we would honor, 

Here, let the off ring be worthy of him ! 
Watchful each vestal with white robes upon her, 
See, that its glory may never grow dim ! 

Patron of virtue he — 

Helper of poverty — 
Lover of science, and friendly to all. — 

Gratefully pledge the vow — 

Write it in heaven now — 
Worthy of Lawrence we'll render the hall ! 

13* 



150 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

The school is organized with boys and girls in 
every class, and in this respect it differs from every 
other public school in Boston. It has a master, a 
sub-master, 12 female assistants, a teacher of plain 
sewing, a teacher of music, and a janitor to tend 
fires and take care of the building. The number of 
pupils belonging to the school, on the day of the 
dedication, was 797. The daily attendance of the 
pupils averages not far from 90 per cent. 

Josiah A. Stearns, A. M., is the Principal. 

Primary Schools- 

The first Primary School was established in Bos- 
ton in 1818. The precise year when a Primary 
School was opened in South Boston, is not known. It 
is supposed, however, that during the year 1819 or 
1820 such a school was established. The first teach- 
er was Mrs. Catharine Thayer. We have before us 
the report of this school in 1821, and we copy it 
from the original document as preserved by the Pri- 
mary School Board : — 

" On Friday afternoon, 28th of September, in obe- 
dience to the direction of the Standing Committee^ 
of the Board of Primary Schools, I visited the school 
;.at South Boston, kept by Mrs. Thayer. I was at- 
tended by William Dall, Esq. 

1st, 

were present, and absent, 



4tli class, 8 boys, 3 girls, total 11. 

3d " 6 « 9 " « 15. 

2d «« 3 " 6 " " 9. 

1st " 9 « 6 " " 15. 

26 24 50 



1 boy, 3 girls, total 4. 
" 1 " " 1. 
«« 1 « " 1. 
" 1 " « 1. 



" Of seven years old there were none in the fourth 
-or third classes; in the second, 2 boys and 1 girlj 
.2Lnd in the first, 2 boys and no girls ; in all, 5. 



SCHOOLS. 151 

" 2d. No boy or girl in this school is qualified, 
or can be for six months, for the Grammar School ; 
but 7 have gone in the last six months. 

" 3d. Watts's Shorter Catechism is used alone. 

"4th. The mistress teaches with proper accent. 

" 5th. The school hours are conformed to, but in 
the past summer the mistress has begun an hour 
earlier, to accommodate the children who come in 
company with elder ones attending another school 
in the forenoon. 

" 6th. School is every day opened with prayer. 

" 7th. The principal punishment is by detention, 
which the instructor thinks has a good effect; whip- 
ping is sometimes necessary. 

" 8th. The new system has not been put in ope- 
ration. 

" 9th. The school was visited by Mr. Dall about 
four weeks since. 

" 10. The general state of the school is as bad 
as any I have seen in town. More than two-thirds 
of the children in the fourth class are destitute of 
books, and a quarter at least of those in the third 
class. Eight of the children in the fourth class are 
in their alphabet ; but the three others, all boys, may 
be advanced in three months to the third class. 
The third class appear tolerably well, and, if not too 
soon advanced, may make good scholars. The sec- 
ond class is the poorest I have ever seen ; one half 
of them would be poor scholars for the third, and 
one boy was so struck with a sense of his inferiority 
as to desire to be reduced one degree, in which he 
was gratified. They were deficient in every parti- 
cular ; knew little of spelling, less of stops, nothing 
of the vulgarisms or abbreviations, or words of simi- 
lar sound but different spelling. Of the first class 



152 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON. 

I am obliged to speak almost as ill as of tlie second ; 
jet they read tolerably well, and five of the fifteen 
could spell words of three syllables. Every one 
ought to be in the second class, yet all, except one, 
have been in the first from last February, when the 
new system was introduced, but not followed. This 
school needs the attention of the Committee ; and 
the mistress, who appears to be an excellent woman, 
and able to govern and teach, might soon raise its 
character if they would visit and examine it once a 
week. But the materials are so poor, that, unless a 
firm support is given to the teacher by the Commit- 
tee, to enable her to resist the whims of the parents, 
who wish their children to be put up before they can 
advance by their own strength, the school must be 
almost useless, 

Jas, Savage." 

We have also a list of the names of the scholars, 
with the number of hymns and verses of the Bible 
which they had committed. This first school was 
kept in a room in the house occupied by the instruc- 
tor, and situated near the corner of Dorchester and 
Third streets. 

In 1824 another Primary School was established, 
having Miss Cole for teacher. This was kept on 
Fourth street, between B and G streets. 

For many years each school had a separate Com- 
mittee man. On January 8th, 1855, a new organi- 
zation was made, the Grammar School Board en- 
larged, and all the schools placed under their charge. 

There are in South Boston four convenient brick 
buildings owned by the city and occupied by fifteen 
Primary Schools. The remainder are in the Grammar 
School-Houses or private rooms. 



SCHOOLS. 



153 



The Mount Washington Female Institute 
Was founded May, 1835, by Mrs. Burrill, with the 
view of providing a place where young ladies might 
obtain a liberal education at a moderate rate. The 
number of pupils who attended the first term was 
49. Since that time many misses have been connect- 
ed with the institution. It is still under the charge 
of Mrs. Burrill, aided by several female assistants. 

The course of education pursued by the young 
ladies of the Institute is extensive, comprehending 
all those attainments which may be found necessary, 
useful or ornamental in society. Every effort is 
made to store the minds of the pupils with know- 
ledge, and to inculcate in their hearts the principles 
of virtue and morality. 




The seminary and boarding-house are situated on 
Mount Washington, near the Institution for the 
Blind. The site is one of the most healthy and 
beautiful in New England, and commands a view of 
the city, harbor, and many of the surrounding towns. 
(A view of it is presented above.) 



154 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

CHURCHES. 

In the early history of South Boston, the inhabi- 
tants were obliged to attend church in Dorchester, 
as there were not residents enough in Mattapannock 
to support a minister. The people were in the 
habit of going to Dorchester meeting-house on Sun- 
day morning, and remaining all day. Soon after 
Dorchester Neck was annexed to Boston proper, 
several of the inhabitants, members of Rev. Dr. 
Harris's Society in Dorchester, desired to have a 
nearer place of worship. Mr. John Hawes, a bene- 
volent and public-spirited citizen, appropriated a 
piece of ground as early as June, 1807, on which a 
house for public worship was to be erected. This 
land he caused to be conveyed to the inhabitants of 
South Boston. 

In the year 1810, he joined with his neighbors in 
erecting a building, for a temporary place of wor- 
ship, and Rev. Thomas Pierce, of Milton, a clersyman 
of the Methodist denomination, who had occasionally 
ministered to them in their private dwellings, was 
employed as their minister. He preached to them 
for about two years, and then returned to the Meth- 
odist connexion. About this time, the town of Bos- 
ton granted a sum of money for the support of a 
public school in South Boston, and Mr. Zephaniah 
Wood, of Lunenberg, as has already been mentioned, 
was appointed master of the school. Mr. Wood 
was an excellent man, of the Orthodox persuasion, 
and being much given to study, he engaged to pursue 
such studies as might render him acceptable and 



CHURCHES. 155 

useful to the little church which had been gathered, 
while at the same time he gratuitously performed 
the services of a pastor. 

In the year 1818, the Society, having considerably 
increased, obtained of the Legislature an act of in- 
corporation, with the title of The Hawes Place 
Congregational Society. They also enlarged their 
temporary place of worship. The first meeting was 
in a wooden one-story building, about forty feet 
long, and twenty wide, situated eastward of the 
Heights, near the site of the present Church, but fac- 
ing on the Old Road. On cither side of the door 
were singers' seats, raised somewhat above the other 
pews. Opposite the door was a low wooden pulpit. 
The ceiling was plastered, but the sides were left 
bare, the spaces between the beams being filled with 
rough bricks. 

The enlargement mentioned above was an addition 
of some twenty feet to the length of the meeting- 
house, making it sixty feet long, and giving it so 
much the appearance of a rope-walk, that it was call- 
ed by that name. 

The act of incorporation was passed in February, 
and approved by the Governor, John Brooks, on the 
19th of that month. On the 13th day of May, 1819, 
those members of the Society, who were communi- 
cants, met to deliberate upon the expediency of 
forming a regular Church ; and ^^ Voted unanimously, 
that the Secretary of this meeting (Mr. Wood) be 
requested to take such measures as shall be deemed 
requisite to effect such object." 

At an adjourned meeting of these communicants, 
Oct. 11th, 1819, it was " Voted unanimously, that 
letters missive be addressed to the Rev. Mr. Harris 
of Dorchester, the Rev. Mr. Porter of Roxbury, and 



156 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

the Rev. Mr. Norton of Weymouth, requesting tliem 
to attend on the 27tli instant, at 10 o'elock, A. M., 
with one delegate each, as a council to assist in or- 
ganizing said members into a Church." Accordingly, 
an Ecclesiastical Council assembled, Oct. 27th, 1819, 
and accomplished the object for wliich they had been 
convened. Tlie Rev. Dr. Porter was chosen Mode- 
rator. He performed the devotional exercises, and 
administered baptism to several new members, then 
admitted, who had not been baptized. The Rev. Dr. 
Harris was chosen Scribe, and preached a discourse ; 
and the Rev. Mr. Norton gave the right hand of 
fellowship to the Church, through their minister, Mr. 
Wood, who had been deputed to receive it. 

This Church at first consisted of fourteen members, 
six male and eight female. They held their first 
meeting Nov. 15, 1819. at the house of Mr. John 
Hawes, and unanimously chose Mr. Wood to be 
Clerk, and Isaac Thom and Thomas Hammond to be 
Deacons. 

With a view to render himself more useful to this 
Church and Society, Mr. Wood received ordination 
as an Evangelist, by a Council convened at Wey- 
mouth. Nov. 13, 1821, though he never held any pas- 
toral relation to them. 

Mr. Wood was not, however, permitted to con- 
tinue long in his office. In August, 1822, he was 
seized with a violent fever, and after enduring much 
sufteriug, died on the 26th of October, at the age of 
31 years. His death was much lamented by the 
Church and Society, and by all who had ever enjoyed 
his acquaintance. As a man he was universally res- 
pected, and as a Christian his character was unble- 
mished. He left a wife and several young children to 
mourn his loss. 



CHURCHES. 157 

During the sickness of tho Rev. Mr. Wood, the 
Rev. Lemuel Capen, of Dorchester, who not long 
before had dissolved his ministerial connexion with 
the church and society in Sterling, was requested to 
preach to this society. Soon after the decease of 
Mr. Wood, Mr. Capen was appointed to succeed him 
as master of the public school, and continued, by 
their request, to '• minister to them in the word." At 
a legal meeting of the society, January 28, 182.3, 
they invited him to become their permanent minister, 
to wliich invitation he gave an affirmative answer. 
On account of his connexion with the school, how- 
ever, further measures for his installation were de- 
ferred. In consequence of this step of the society, 
at a legal meeting of the Church, March 2.3, 1823, he 
was chosen to be the clerk of the Church. He con- 
tinued thus to preach and administer the ordinances 
of the gospel to them till the autumn of 1827. At 
a legal meeting of the society, October 8th of that 
year, they unanimously renewed their invitation to 
him to become their permanent minister : and he 
again signified his acceptance. An Ecclesiastical 
Council was accordingly convened for his installation. 
October 31, 1827; on which occasion, the following 

lurches were represented: — the Rev. Dr. Porter's 
and Dr. Gray's in Roxbury ; Rev. Dr. Harris's and 
Dr. Richmond's in Dorchester ; the Rev. Mr. Whit- 
ney's in Quincy, and the Rev. Mr. Pierpont's in 
Boston. 

In January, 1829, John Hawes, who was one of 
the founders of the Church, and who had ever been 
its friend, died, leaving a considerable amount of 
property to the Church, and also to the inhabitants 
of South Boston. ('See Appendix C) 

The donation of Mr. Hawes enabled the Hawes 
14 



158 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON, 

Place Society to erect a new house of worship, on 
the site presented by that gentleman in 1807. This 
building is a neat wooden edifice, 60 by 46 feet, and 
capable of seating between four and five hundred 
persons. It is surmounted by a steeple, in which a 
bell is suspended. This building was dedicated Jan- 
uary 1, 1833, and bears on a tablet in front the fol- 
fowing inscription : — 

THIS HOUSE ERECTED 

BY THE 

HAWES PLACE SOCIETY, 
For the Worship of God, A. D. 1832, 

by a munificent donation from 

MR. JOHN HAWES, 

who died Jan. 22, 1829, 

aged 88 years.. 

In 1839, Rev. Lemuel Capen resigned his office a& 
pastor of the church, and Rev. Charles C. Shackford 
was ordained as his successor, May 19, 1841, and 
left May, 1843. Rev. George W. Lippitt was or- 
dained May 9, 1844, and remained until January 1, 
1851. Rev. Thomas Dawes was his successor, May 
21, 1854. 

In 1855 the church was entirely re-modelled, circu- 
lar pews introduced, a new pulpit built, and other 
improvements made. The fund left by Mr. Hawes 
is sufficient to defray all expenses. 

>S'^ Matthew^ s Church. 

The first incorporated religious society in South 
Boston was the present Episcopal Church. On the 
24th of March, 1816, St. Matthew's Church was or- 
ganized, and on the following Sunday, March 31st, 



CHURCHES. 159 

the first public services were performed in the 
" scliool-liousC;" by Mr. Cotting, a lay reader. This 
gentleman continued to act in that capacity till the 
21st of June, 1818, receiving occasional assistance 
from some of the clergymen of the city. The con- 
gregations at this period are reported to have va- 
ried from ten to seventy persons. 

In 1817 the society commenced the erection of 
the first house of worship built in South Boston, 
and on the 24th of June, 1818, St. Matthew's Church 
was consecrated with appropriate services by the 
Right Rev. Alexander Y. Griswold, D. D., Bishop of 
the Eastern Diocese. The expenses of its erection 
were chiefly defrayed by benevolent members of 
Trinity and Christ churches, with a view to the fu- 
ture wants of South Boston. The land on which it 
stands was bought of Mr. Abraham Gould, who was 
for many years one of the wardens of the Church. 
A service of plate for the use of the altar was pre- 
sented by the ladies of Christ Church, and the pul- 
pit, desk and chancel were furnished by the ladies 
of Trinity Church. Mrs. Elizabeth Bowdoin Win- 
throp was a most liberal benefactor. 

On the 5th of July, 1817, an arrangement was 
made with Mr. Addison Searle, a candidate for holy 
orders, to act as lay reader, and this gentleman, 
with some aid from the clergymen of the city, sus- 
tained public worship until March 30th, 1819. Mr. 
Searle was soon after ordained, and received an ap 
pointment as Chaplain in the Navy. His death on 
board the frigate Cumberland, on the Mediterranean 
station, has lately been announced. 

On Mr. Searle's resignation, Mr. R. G-. Parker 
was engaged to officiate as lay reader, but continued 
his services only till the 19 th of September. The 



160 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

names of Mr. Theodore Edson, Isaac Boyle, and I. 
H. Price, all of them candidates for the ministry, 
and afterwards ordained, occur in the records, as 
conducting the public worship from Mr. Parker's re- 
signation till 19th of March; 1820, at which time Mr. 
Edson appears to have made a permanent arrange- 
ment with the Wardens and Vestry, and to have 
continued his services till about March, 1824. He 
was succeeded, after a short interval, by the Rev. J. 
L. Blake, who was the first ordained clergyman set- 
tled over the Parish. He remained Eector of St. 
Matthew's till the 24th of June, 1832. During the 
latter part of the year 1831, the Church was closed, 
in order to enlarge the building to its present size. 

On Mr. Blake's resignation, the Church was sup- 
plied for about three months by the Rev. M. A. 
De W. Howe, who was at that time Master of the 
Hawes School. He ceased to officiate on the 14th 
of October, 1832, and the Church was closed from 
that date till the 2d of February, 1834, when it was 
opened for public worship by the Rev. E. M. P. 
Wells, who continued his services till April, 1835. 
To him succeeded the Rev. H. L. Conolly, who was 
Rector of St. Matthew's from April, 1835, to April, 
1838. On his resignation, the services of the Rev. 
W. Bull and others were secured until the 10th of 
June, 1838, when the Rev. Joseph H. Clinch engaged 
to supply the Church for three months, at the expi- 
ration of which time he was chosen Rector, and was 
instituted as such on the 23d of September, 1838, by 
Bishop Griswold. This gentleman still continues 
his pastoral relation. 

The society at the present time numbers about 
one hundred families, and there are about one hun- 
dred communicants connected with the Church. The 



CHURCHES. 161 

cliurcli edifice is a neat brick building, situated on 
Broadway, between D and E streets, and is 35 feet 
front by 80 feet deep. Under the church are quite 
a number of vaults used as tombs, owned by various 
individuals, and under the supervision of the City 
Authorities. In the belfry still remains the bell 
which was formerly suspended in the cupola of Fan- 
euil Hall, and which was granted to the Church by 
the town authorities on condition that it be rung for 
fire alarms, &c. 

JSt. Augusthies Church. 

In the year 1819, the members of the Franklin 
street Roman Catholic Church thought it advisable 
to erect a place for Roman Catholic services in 
South Boston, and accordingly built the church situ- 
ated on Dorchester street, and known as the " Old 
Catholic Church." The distinguished Right Rev- 
erend Bishop Cheverus had the ministerial charge of 
the Franklin street Church, and by his activity and 
assistance St. Augustine's Church was erected. 

It was doubtless the intention of the Rev. Mr. 
Thayer to have located a convent of Ursuline Nuns 
near this Church, as he made provision in his will for 
the establishment of such an institution, and ex- 
pressed his opinion that that would be the most 
eligible situation. In 1820, four nuns, by invitation 
of Bishop Cheverus, arrived in Boston, and devoted 
themselves to the instruction of female children till 
1826, when the Ursuline Community was established 
at Charlestown. The fate of that institution is well 
known, and the blackened ruins of the convent still 
remain to point out a chapter in the history of the 
Catholic institutions of America. It was probably 
but a slight circumstance that prevented South Bos- 
14* 



162 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

ton from being the scene of occurrences similar to 
those which took place some years since in Charles- 
town. 

The church is a small brick buildings and was con- 
secrated by Bishop Fenwick in 1833, at which time 
Rev. Thomas Lynch was appointed pastor. He re- 
tained his office till 1836, when Rev. John Mahoney 
was made Priest of the Church, and continued in this 
office till 1839. Rev. M. Lynch was then appointed 
to take the pastoral charge, but continued in office 
only a year, and was succeeded by Rev. Terrence 
Fitzsimmons. In 1844, a new Catholic Church was 
formed in South Boston, and St. Augustine's Church 
became a part of that. 

The old church is now seldom used, and is rapidly 
going to decay. Adjoining it is a large cemetery 
used exclusively for the burial of Roman Catholics. 
This grave-yard has been used for many years, and 
a large number of bodies are interred in it. 

The Church has a most picturesque situation, on 
Dorchester street, near Sixth street. It is surrounded 
by beautiful elm-trees, which, when clad in the foliage 
of summer, completely hide the Church from view. 
As the wind sighs among the trees, and chants a sol- 
emn requiem to the dead who repose below, the soli- 
tude of the place and the almost unbroken stillness 
which pervades the yard make the place one of pe- 
culiar interest, and we have heard it said that there 
is not a more beautiful spot in Massachusetts. It 
has often been noticed that there is a remarkable 
regularity in the position of the trees which surround 
the Church. There is a tradition handed down in a 
family that has long resided in South Boston, that, 
many years since, an English nobleman selected that 
spot as a site upon which to erect a mansion. He 



CHURCHES. 163 

accordingly planted elm trees on three sides of the 
lot, leaving an almost unbounded prospect towards 
the west. He died, however, before he commenced 
his proposed dwelling. 



CHAPTER XV. 

CHURCHES — CONTINUED. 

Phillips Church. 

As was stated in the History of the Hawes Place 
Church, the first two clergymen who preached in 
South Boston entertained religious views differing 
from those now entertained by the members of 
the parent church. All denominations were then 
united, and all worshipped together in peace and 
unity. Rev. Thomas Pierce was a Methodist at the 
time he preached in South Boston, and Rev. Zepha- 
niah Wood was a Trinitarian, till some dispute which 
arose upon the doctrines of their creeds caused him 
to dissent, and he then became somewhat Arminian 
in his sentiments. 

At Mr. Wood's death, a majority of the society 
chose to have a minister of Unitarian views, and the 
minority felt obliged to leave that place of worship. 
The separation was effected peaceably, and with mu- 
tual kind feelings. Some continued to go to their 
old place of worship, some attended occasionally the 
Episcopal service — although that Church had then no 
settled minister — and others went to Orthodox pla- 
ces of worship in the city. 

The few dissenters felt bound, however, to con- 
tinue on the ground which they thought had been 



164 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON. 

committed to them. They also felt the personal 
loss of religious privileges, aud after some discussion 
it was thought best to appoint a prayer-meeting at 
a private house. In this prayer-meeting, the Ortho- 
dox, Methodists and Baptists were united, although 
at first but few attended. The number, however, 
increased, until one room was insufficient to contain 
them, and 30 or 40 persons would sometimes be 
present. These prayer-meetings were seasons of 
sweet communion, and an aged lady, in describing 
them, said, "We enjoyed ourselves together; we 
didn't know any better then." 

From this prayer-meeting sprung not only the 
Orthodox, but the Methodist Church in South Bos- 
ton j and in the history of the latter Church, some 
other interesting particulars will be given in regard 
to it, which have a more special bearing on that 
Society. 

South Boston, at that time, presented a far dif- 
ferent appearance from its present aspect. It con- 
tained about fifteen hundred inhabitants, with no 
such street as Broadway, save as it had been traced 
out by the furrow of the plough. It was in a manner 
destitute of religious privileges, and was the resort 
of multitudes of Sabbath-breakers from the other 
side, to whom the green fields and beautiful hills of 
Mattapannock offered a tempting place for recrea- 
tion. It would seem to have been an almost hope- 
less task to attempt to organize a new church ; and 
yet, with the aid of a few benevolent gentlemen of 
the town of Boston, among whom may be mentioned 
Mr. Henry Homes and Mr. George J. Homer, names 
never to be forgotten. Rev. Prince Hawes was en- 
gaged to preach half the time on the Sabbath. 

Harris Hall, now converted into a dwelling-house, 



CHURCHES. 165 

and situated in the next building east of the stable 
of Benjamin Lucas, on Fourth street, between D and 
E streets, was the building first occupied by the 
little band as a place of worship. It was small, and 
contained, when full, about forty or fifty persons. 
This was in February, 1823, and about the same 
time a Sabbath School was gathered, and a single 
brother and sister were at first the only teachers. 
A female prayer-meeting was also commenced, and a 
Ladies' Benevolent Society was formed. Both of 
these still continue. 

Harris Hall became in a short time too small for 
the numbers that attended, and in the summer of 
1823, a benevolent gentleman, still a member of the 
society, at his own expense erected what was called 
Union Hall. It stands on Fourth street, between B 
and C streets, opposite the residence of Capt. Jacob 
Herrick, and is now used as a dwelling-house. Here 
one hundred and fifty persons could be comfortably 
seated, and, without any assistance from abroad, all 
the furniture usually found in a small meeting-house 
was provided. 

A very respectable audience was now gathered 
every Sabbath, and it was thought advisable to have 
'a church organized, which as yet had not been done. 
Accordingly a council was called for the purpose, of 
which Rev. Sereno E. Dwight, of Park Street Church, 
was Moderator, and Rev B. B. Wisner, of the Old 
South Church, was Scribe. Thirteen persons pre- 
sented themselves, and desired to become members 
— ^\^iz. : Rufus Ball, Isaac Thom, Sophia Thom, Thos. 
Hammond, Abigail Fenno, and Hannah Dewire, with 
letters from the Hawes Place Church ] Joseph John- 
son, from the church in Woburn; Mary B. Simonds, 
from the church in Fitchburg ; Anna Hewins, from 



166 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

the Park Street Cliurcli; Sumner Fuller, from the 
Old South Cliurch ; and Abel Hewins, Pliebe Hollis 
and Charlotte Howard, on profession. 

The Council voted unanimously to comply with 
their request, and on the 10th day of December, 
1823, "The Evangelical Congregational Church in 
South Boston " was duly organized, and the public 
exercises were held in the Hall. 

In due time the Church increased in numbers, and 
gained strength sufl&cient to build a brick meeting- 
house on the corner of A street and Broadway. 
This edifice was somewhat smaller than the present 
meeting-house, and had no galleries. On the base- 
ment was a vestry. It was dedicated, with appro- 
priate ceremonies, on the 19th day of March, 1825. 
The sermon on the occasion was preached by Bev. 
Prince Hawes. 

In the month of March, 1834, the Society was 
incorporated by the Legislature under the title of 
the "Phillips Church Society in Boston." At 
the time when the name Phillips was given to the 
Society, it was proposed to designate the cross 
streets in South Boston by the names of the Mayors, 
and not by the letters of the alphabet. A Street 
was to be called Phillips street, after John Phillips, 
the first Mayor of Boston ; and hence, as the meet- 
ing-house was erected on that street, it received the 
name by which it is now designated. 

Rev. Prince Hawes was installed pastor of the 
Church on the 28th of April, 1824, and was dis- 
missed on the 18th of April, 1827. He died a few 
years since, at Long Island. On the 2 2d of No- 
vember 1827, Rev. Joy H. Fairchild was installed 
as pastor, and was dismissed on the 2d of JunC; 
1842. 



CHURCHES. 16T 

Rev. William W. Patton was ordained as pastor 
of the church and society on the 16th of January, 
1843. The sermon on the occasion was preached 
by his father, the Rev. Dr. Patton, of New York 
city. Mr. Patton was but twenty-one years of age 
when ordained, and remained pastor till the 23d of 
December, 1845, when he acceded to the call of the 
Fourth Congregational Church at Hartford, Conn., 
to become their pastor. 

Rev. John W. Alvord, of Stamford, Conn., was 
then invited to become pastor, and on the 4th of 
November, 1846, he was duly installed. He resigned, 
on account of ill health, in March, 1852, and Rev, 
Charles S. Porter, of Plymouth, was installed his 
successor in February, 1854, and still remains pastor 
of the Church. 

In 1835, the brick church was taken down, and its 
place supplied by the present edifice, a wooden build- 
ing, standing on the corner of Broadway and A 
street. It is seventy-eight by sixty-five feet, front- 
ing on A street, and has one hundred and six pews 
in the body of the house. It is capable of seating 
about nine hundred persons. In the basement is a 
large vestry, and three stores. Surmounting the 
building is a tall steeple, in which hangs a bell weigh- 
ing about two thousand pounds. There is'also a 
clock, with four dials, placed in the steeple. 

The present number of communicants is about two 
hundred and fifty. 

South Baptist Church. 

More than a third of a century has elapsed, since 
the formation of a Baptist Church in South Boston 
became the object of desire among the few of this 
denomination of Christians who then resided here ) 



168 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

but tlieir presence and aid were much needed in the 
churches with which they were connected, in other 
parts of the city. 

Impressed, however, with the importance of pre- 
paring for the spiritual wants and religious preferen- 
ces of an anticipated increase of population, an efibrt 
was made to establish a Baptist Meeting. The Phil- 
lips Church kindly offered the use of their house of 
worship, which was accepted, and Mr. Ensign Lin- 
coln, a good man, and well known as first in many a 
good enterprise, assisted by several of the city pas- 
tors, sustained a weekly lecture for a short time. 
But the attendance was deemed insufficient to justify 
a continuance of the effort in that form. 

Though this seemed a failure to some, it only 
served to confirm and strengthen the hope and pur- 
pose of others. And though this plan was relin- 
quished, it was only that a more successful one might 
be commenced on a firmer basis. A worthy member 
of the Baldwin Place Church, whose name and noble 
deeds are well known in this part of the city, even 
as they form a prominent part of its history, had al- 
ready thrown his sympathies into the new interest. 
He purchased a small building which had been occu- 
pied as a place of religious meeting by the Metho- 
dists, and gave the use of it to his brethren, for the 
same object. This^ building, now used as a bath- 
house, occupies its original locality, on the corner 
of Broadway and C street, directly opposite the 
present South Baptist Meeting-house ; and the con- 
trast between the two, presents to the observer a 
fair index of the progress which 'has been accom- 
plished during 23 years. 

For more than three years this was their place of 
meeting. The pulpit was during this time supplied 



CHURCHES. 169 

chiefly by Rev. Messrs. Harvey Ball, Otis Wing^ and 
Thomas Driver. 

lu 1827 the Federal street (now Rowe street) 
Baptist Church was formed. But their enterprising- 
pastor, now the Rev. Howard Malcom, D. D., of 
Philadelphia, encouraged his members residing in 
South Boston to proceed in their hopeful undertak- 
ing. And the more efficiently to accomplish their 
object, nineteen members of different churches in the 
city united together, in August, 1829, and were re- 
cognized as a branch of the Federal street Church. 
For nearly two years this relation was continued, 
and the Branch Cliurch experienced considerable 
prosperity. Their house of worship became too 
small, as well for their accommodation as for their 
anticipated wants. The purpose was formed, and a 
plan adopted, to obtain a more commodious one. 
The rapid increase of the First Baptist Church and 
congregation in Boston made it necessary for them, 
at that time, to enlarge their place of meeting. They 
had resolved to take down their house, which was 
then a good one, and to replace it with a larger 
brick edifice. That house was purchased by the 
Baptists in South Boston, taken down, removed and. 
re-erected on the site which it now occupies. It was 
newly covered and finished. It is 72 feet long and 
57 wide, and contains 104 pews, besides the orches- 
tra, which contains a large organ. In its tower is a 
large and fine-toned bell. This edifice was dedicat- 
ed to the worship of God, by appropriate religious 
services, July 22, 1830. In the vestry yet remains 
the same " sacred desk," from which the eloquent 
and now sainted Stillman, of the First Church, was 
long accustomed to pour forth, in silver tones, the 
word of life to listening crowds. 
15 



no HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

Having accomplished this enterprise, and begin- 
ning to experience the benefits of it, in a larger con- 
gregation, the Branch deemed it wise to sever their 
peculiar connection with the Federal street Church. 
This was done, and the members formed themselves 
into a regular Baptist Church, and were publicly 
recognized, by appropriate religious services, as the 
South Baptist Church in Boston, March 1, 1831. The 
Rev. Howard Malcom delivered the sermon on that 
occasion, and Mr. R. H. Neale, now the Rev. Dr. 
Neale, Pastor of the First Baptist Church, received 
the token of fellowship from the Council, in behalf 
of the new church. Mr. Neale became their first 
pastor, and labored with them for nearly four years. 
And though his time was much occupied in his theo- 
logical studies, his labors were greatly blessed, the 
Church having increased from 52 members to 132, 
which it numbered when he was dismissed March 19, 
1834. His departure was deeply regretted and 
proved an unfortunate event for the Church. 

In the winter of 1834, the South Baptist Church 
seemed to have entered upon a season of long pros- 
perity. Their meeting-house was new, inviting and 
commodious. The cono;reo;ation 2:raduallv increased. 
The Church were happily united in their pastor, 
whose labors seemed abundantly crowned with suc- 
cess. But fond hopes and fair prospects and ardent 
enthusiasm were all blighted, in the spring, by the 
sudden rupture of the pastoral relation ; and the in- 
fluence of that separation was long felt. 

Within a few weeks of Mr. Neale's dismissal, the 
church invited the Rev. T. R. Cressey, now of India- 
napolis, la., to become their pastor, which invitation 
he accepted. But the deep regret and disappoint- 
ment, consequent upon the departure of his prede- 



CHURCHES. 171 

ccssor, made his ministry trying, though in some de- 
gree successful. He remained only one year, and 
was then dismissed at his own request. For more 
than two years, from this time, the Church remained 
without a regular pastor. And those were years of 
trial, of varying hopes and fears, of lights and shades. 
Yet even a darker and severer period followed 
them. The night, though cheered by many a bright 
star, was sad and long. Yet it broke not till one 
more dismal hour passed over them. In the winter 
of 1838, Mr. Wm. Jackson, from Halifax, N. S., was 
recommended to the Society, and commenced minis- 
tering to them with much acceptance. The Church 
invited him, thouglv with some opposition to the 
vote, to assume the pastoral charge. But before the 
connection was consummated, his singular and ex- 
travagant course resulted in a sad division of the 
Church, and his ejection from the pulpit, and finally 
in his exclusion from its membership. The details 
of that mournful period in this history would be nei- 
ther pleasant nor profitable. But the division was 
soon healed, and the divided band, newly tried and 
sifted, again united, and rallied to their work, and 
began to hope. 

On the 1st of December, 1838, Eev. Thomas Dri- 
ver commenced his pastoral labors with the Church, 
which continued with much success for four years 
and three months. Under his m.inistry the number 
of members was greatly increased. The pecuniary 
embarrassments of the Society were much relieved, 
and the future presented a more hopeful aspect. Mr. 
D. was dismissed March 12, 1843. 

In November of the same year. Rev. Duncan Dun- 
bar, the|i of New York city, was invited to the vacant 
pastorate, which he accepted, and was installed Jan. 



172 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON. 

1st, 1844. His ministry covered nearly two years 
of trial. He resigned his trust to the Church, Nov. 
24, 1845, bearing away with him the respect and 
kind regard of those who had attended on his minis- 
trations. 

On the 21st of January, 184G, the Rev. George W. 
Bosworth was called to the place which had been 
vacated, which call he accepted by entering upon his 
public labors in February succeeding. He continued 
the pastor of the Church, which prospered greatly 
under his care, till March, 1855, when he received 
and accepted a call to settle in Portland, Me. He 
was succeeded by Rev. J. A. Goodhue, the present 
pastor, October 1, 1855. 

Methodist Episcopal Church. 

It will be recollected that on a previous page 
we mentioned a prayer meeting which was held in 
South Boston about the year 1810. Among those 
attending this meeting was a widow named Robin- 
son, who was a zealous Methodist. She felt that a 
minister was greatly needed in South Boston, and 
determined to procure one. Accordingly she went 
to Boston, and endeavored to secure the services 
of a clergyman. She did not succeed very well, and 
at last went to Mr. T. C. Pierce, then a young man, 
a carpenter by trade, but of a very serious turn of 
mind. She told him he must come over and preach ; 
and he did so, much to the satisfaction of the old 
lady and her friends, although the preacher was not 
a college learned man. 

This same Mr. Pierce is now well known as the 
good old Father Pierce, a superannuated clergyman 
residing at Lynn. In August, 1810, as we learn from 
a letter from old Father Pierce, which we have now 



CHURCHES. 173 

before us, the services were commenced in the house 
of the widow. In the course of three montlis a lar- 
ger room was obtained in a house a short distance 
from the former place, and here Mr. Pierce officiated 
afternoon and evening during the winter and spring. 
About this time a Mr. Deluce opened a building near 
the shore, north of the widow's house in which the 
meetings were first held. This place was occupied 
some three or four months, but was not well liked, 
and with his own hands the carpenter minister went 
to work, and erected a place of worship. This house 
was the building mentioned in connection with the 
history of the Hawes Place Church, as the rope-walk. 
It was built during the summer of 1811, and would 
hold from seventy-five to one hundred hearers. The 
cost was divided into shares of five dollars, a portion 
being taken by the South Bostonians, and a portion 
by benevolent individuals in Boston, Mr. Pierce, 
however, did not receive much for his work. 

From these statements it will be seen that Father 
Pierce was the first clergyman who ever officiated in 
South Boston-; and the Methodist denomination was 
the first that established regular worship here. 

The following extract from Mr. Pierce's letter, 
will be interesting : — 

'' All the support I had for my labors was a public 
contribution on the Sabbath, which usually amounted 
to seventy-five cents or a dollar, with a week's board 
now and then. We ]iad pretty good singing, a good 
congregation generally, and some few conversions. 
We formed no separate church, but went to the Brom- 
field street Church as our home." 

Among those who assisted Mr. Pierce during his 
ministry, were the late Dr. Baldwin, the late Dr. 
Codman of Dorchester, Rev, T. W. Tucker, and 
15^ 



174 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON. 

'' Father Taylor," the world-rcnownccl Seaman preach- 
er. In 1814, Father Pierce joined the New England 
Methodist Conference, and was appointed to another 
field of labor. He was succeeded by Rev. Zephaniah 
Wood, of whom we have spoken at considerable 
length elsewhere. About this time theological con- 
troversy ran high. A book called " Worcester's 
Bible Views " was published, and was very exten- 
sively circulated. Mr. Wood embraced the views 
advocated in that publication, and became a Congre- 
gationalist; and the character of the feeble church 
was changed. Thus ended the first eiTort to estab- 
lish a Methodist Episcopal Church in South Boston. 

In the year 1825, another attempt was made to 
organize a Methodist Church. About this time a 
large number of persons of the Methodist persuasion 
came to work in the glass-houses (then four in num- 
ber), and uniting with those already residing in South 
Boston, they erected a building on the corner of 
Broadway and C streets, and for a time all went on 
prosperously. Suddenly, however, the proprietors 
of the glass-houses failed, and the men were obliged 
to remove elsewhere to obtain work. Deprived of 
these powerful auxiliaries, the feeble Methodist 
Church became disheartened, and the building passed 
into the hands of the Baptists. It is now standing, 
and is occupied as a bath-house. Not long since, it 
was found necessary to raise it to accord with the 
new grade of Broadway, and the large timbers used 
in the construction of the basement floor clearly 
showed the design for which it was built. 

The third and more successful effort to establish a 
M. E. Church here was made in 1834, and sustained 
by some who still live to bless with their piety and 
wisdom the Church they contributed so largely to 



CHURCHES. 175 

found. A preaching place was opened, and Rev. 
Abel Stevens, now of New York, preached the first 
sermon, to a congregation of eight, all told. This 
place becoming too strait for the increasing congre- 
gation, they soon moved to Harding's Hall, corner of 
Fourth and Turnpike streets, and thence to Frank- 
lin Hall, on the opposite corner. There the Society- 
continued to worship until they succeeded in erect- 
ing their present house on D street. In this connec- 
tion it should be mentioned, that among the many 
ministerial brethren whose labors contributed large- 
ly to their prosperity at that time, the Rev. Josiah 
Brackett, of Charlestown, should be held in grateful 
remembrance ; also, that while worshipping in the 
latter Hall, the Society was greatly assisted by the 
proprietors of the place, as well as many other 
friends, who contributed money to the object, and 
otherwise gave countenance and encouragement. 

The year 1839 was distinguished by the Metho- 
dists throughout the world as the " Century of Metho- 
dism." On the 29th of October, it being the day on 
which, just one hundred years before, Mr. Wesley 
formed the first Society in London, — in common 
with their brethren in both Europe and America, the 
little Society met in their place of worship to bring 
a thank-offering to Ood for the religious privileges 
enjoyed, and then and there was started the project, 
and the first subscription made, for erecting a church 
edifice. Eight hundred dollars were subscribed on the 
spot. The amount was immediately after greatly 
increased, so that the work was entered upon with- 
out delay, and the house finally dedicated to the 
worship of God the 1 7th day of June following, by a 
sermon from Father Taylor. The house has since 
undergone repairs, by which it is made much more 
commodious and provided with a large vestry. 



176 HISTORY OF' SOUTH BOSTON. 

It will in future be designated " Centenary Cha- 
pel," as the project of erecting it was started at the 
centenary meeting in 1839. The name will serve 
as a perpetual memorial of the historical associa- 
tions, and will be graven on a marble slab and placed 
on the front of the Church. 

The following clergymen have been successively 
appointed to the pulpit since the house was built. 
The late Rev. James Mudge was the pastor at the 
time it was built, and rendered efficient service. 

Z. B. C. Dunham, 1 year. J. A. Savage, 2 years. 
J. W. Merrill, 1 year. J. Whitman, 2 years. G. F. 
Pool, 2 years. H. Y. Degen, 2 years. Rev. Edward 
Cook, 2 years. Rev. James Porter, 2 years. Rev. 
David Sheruian, 1 year. Rev. J. I. P. Collyer, 2 
years. 

Universalist Churclu 

In the spring of the year 1830, a Universalist 
Church and Society was formed in South Boston. 
Soon after the Church was gathered, the members 
secured the services of Rev. Benjamin Whittemore, 
who was then residing in Troy, N. Y. They occu- 
pied Harding's Hall, now used only as a club room, 
and situated over the store of Charles Mead, drug- 
gist, on the corner of Turnpike and Fourth streets. 
This hall was small, but accommodated the congre- 
gation. 

In the winter of 1832, the Society decided to 
erect a place of worship, and selected, as a site, the 
corner of B street and Broadway. On the 10th of 
April, 1833, the edifice was dedicated and Mr. Whit- 
temore was installed. The Church gradually in- 
creased in numbers. In April, 1843, Mr. Whitte- 
more was dismissed to respond to a call from the 
Church in Lancaster, Mass. 



CHURCHES. 177 

In May, 1844, Rev. Theodore D. Cook was chosen 
his successor, but finally removed to Providence, 
R. I. Rev. Calvin Damon was his successor, and 
was followed by Rev. W. W. Dean, in 1856, and he 
is the present pastor. 

The Universalist Church is a neat edifice, about 
seventy feet in length, on B street, with a front of 
fifty feet on Broadway, surmounted by a cupola. It 
is a wooden building with a brick basement, which 
latter is occupied by a large vestry and two com- 
modious stores. The furniture and interior orna- 
ments are neat, and well adapted to the comfort 
and convenience of the speaker and congregation, 
the Church having been thoroughly repaired and re- 
modelled just before Mr. Dean's settlement. 

Broadway Unitarian Society. 

In the year 1844, quite a number of persons con- 
nected with the Hawes Place Church felt the neces- 
sity of having a Unitarian Church on " the other side 
of the hill." The Hawes Church was situated so 
far from the western part of South Boston, that ma- 
ny persons of the Unitarian persuasion found it in- 
convenient or impossible to go over the hill to church. 
Accordingly they petitioned for an act of incorpora- 
tion, and the " Broadway Unitarian Church and 
Society " was duly organized on the 9th of June, 
1845. The services were held in Pike Hall, over 
Briard & Breck's dry goods store on Broadway, 
between B and C streets. 

About this time, Rev. Moses G. Thomas, who had 
been previously settled in Concord, N. H., began to 
preach for the Broadway Church, and on the 21st of 
May, 1846, he was duly installed Pastor of the 
Church. The sermon on the occasion was preached 



178 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON. 

by Rev. E. S. Gannett, D. D. In April, 1846, the 
Society secured Lyceum Hall for a place of worship, 
and for some time occupied that spacious hall, which 
is capable of seating some seven hundred persons. 

Among the pleasant incidents which have marked 
the history of this Church, may be mentioned a gift 
of the vessels suited to Baptismal and Communion 
services, and an elegant folio copy of the Holy Scrip- 
tures, from several gentlemen connected with the 
Hawes Place Church. Mr. Thomas, during his resi- 
dence in South Boston, was very active in visiting 
and assisting the poor, and was much beloved. In 
August, 1848, he received a call from the Second 
Unitarian Church in New Bedford, and accepted. 
The Church and Society very much regretted the 
loss of Mr. Thomas and his accomplished lady, and 
several valuable testimonials of aflection were pre- 
sented to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas. Among other 
things was a beautiful diamond bed-quilt, bearing on 
each square the name of some one of his Church in 
South Boston. 

Rev. Edward Squire was installed in November, 
1852, and left the next April. 

Jan. 28, 1855, the Church suspended operations. 

Church of St. Peter and St. Paul. 

The corner stone of this massive Church was laid 
in 1844. It was designed to accommodate the in- 
creasing number of Catholics in South Boston. The 
Church, as originally built, was sixty-one and a half 
feet in front, and one hundred and six feet deep. 
It was designed by Gridley J. F. Bryant, Esq., and 
was a fine specimen of architecture. The interior 
was ornamented in the most beautiful manner. Tbe 
wax figure, the " Dead Christ," which excited much 



CHURCHES. 179 

admiration previously when on exhibition in Boston^ 
was purchased by the Church and placed over the 
altar. A magnificent organ, valued at $3000, was 
also purchased by the Society and used in the devo- 
tional exercises. 

On the night of the 7th of September, 1848, flames 
were discovered issuing from the tower of this splen- 
did Church. At the time, there was a large fire in 
Sea street, which occupied the attention of the fire- 
men, and before they could return, the Church was 
in a full blaze. Nothing could be done to save the 
edifice, and in three hours the building was a mass 
of smouldering ruins, nothing remaining but the bare 
walls. Soon after the fire commenced, a portion of 
the tower fell into the building, leaving the remain- 
der in such a position that it was thought it must 
soon fall. The firemen and spectators were there- 
fore obliged to keep at some distance while the fire 
lasted. When the roof fell in, a shower of sparks 
rose in every direction, with burning firebrands in 
great profusion. Nearly every house between A and 
B streets took fire on the roof, while the steeple of 
the Orthodox Church was badly burned. 

The cause of this fire was never ascertained. It is 
supposed, however, to have been caused by sponta- 
neous combustion. 

Since that time the Church has been rebuilt in the 
form of a T, and is capable of seating six hundred 
more persons than before. Rev. P. F. Lyndon is 
Priest. 

Pay son Church. 

This Church was organized in July, 1845. The 
place of worship is in ^^ Broadway Hall," at the cor- 
ner of Broadway and B street. The Rev. Joy H, 



180 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

Faircliild, formerly pastor of the Church in Exeter, 
N. H., was installed pastor on the 19th of November, 
1845, and still retains that office. 

Free Will Baptist Church. 

About the year 1838, a clergyman named Jackson, 
from Nova Scotia, visited South Boston and preached 
as a candidate before the South Baptist Church, 
which was then destitute of a settled pastor. The 
Church seemed at first much united in his favor, but 
soon some dissatisfaction arose, as already mention- 
ed, and in three months the feeling ran so high that 
when the proprietors of pews voted not to give him 
a call, those in favor of his settlement decided to 
withdraw from the Church and form a new one under 
his charge. This was done, and an Independent Cal- 
vinistic Baptist Church was founded, having for its 
pastor Rev. Mr. Jackson, an Englishman by birth, 
and belonging to no Association. 

The meetings of the new Church were held in 
Harding's Hall, on Turnpike street ; but by a united 
effort, the society erected the meeting-house on the 
corner of C and Fourth streets, familiarly known as 
the ^^ White Pines." This was dedicated in 1838, 
on which occasion Mr. Jackson, who was a man of 
singular speech and manner, preached a sermon, tak- 
ing for his text the Declaration of Independence, and 
announcing that it might be found in Faneuil Hall. 

After a few months, Mr. Jackson disavowed Cal- 
vinistic Baptist principles, and became a Universal- 
ist. He preached in the pulpits of several of the 
churches of this denomination in the vicinity, and 
then becoming unpopular, he removed to Philadel- 
phia, where he became an Episcopal Methodist. 
His "life," which was published about the time of his 



CHURCHES. 181 

residence in South Boston, is a unique affair, and 
shows the character of the man. 

After the apostacy of Mr. Jackson from tlie Bap- 
tist creed, a portion of his Church returned to the 
old Society, Avhile the remainder formed the first 
Free Will Baptist Church in South Boston. Mr. 
Jackson was never a Free Will Baptist, and yet the 
dissension which resulted from the attempt to settle 
him in South Boston caused the formation of a Soci- 
ety of that persuasion. 

The Rev. S. Bobbins, in 1839, came from Charles- 
town, and organized the newly-formed Church. Rev. 
R. W. Reed was settled as their pastor, and remain- 
ed until September, 1842. This was during the 
"Second Advent" excitement, — and that doctrine 
gained so far on Mr. Reed and his Church, that those 
who still retained their /or??ier views thought proper 
to withdraw, and were organized into a Church Sep- 
tember 20, 1842, hiring Brooks's Hall, Broadway, 
for a chapel, and employed a Mr. Charles Morgan 
(a licentiate), as their pastor, until April, 1843. 
From this time until November, of the same year, 
they were supplied with preaching by transient 
preachers, such as could be the most readily obtain- 
ed. In November, 1843, Rev. W. H. Littlefield was 
called to be their pastor. He accepted the call, and 
was soon after ordained. He did not remain quite- 
a year with them. At the time he was settled, the 
Society hired the Chapel on C and Fourth streets — 
and continued to worship in it until April, 1846. 

Rev. G. D. Garland succeeded him, and continued 
pastor of the Church until it had become so reduced. 
in numbers, by removals and otherwise, that it was 
thought expedient to suspend public worship for a 
season. The Church, however, continued to hold 
16 



182 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

wee'dy evening prayer meetings at the houses of the 
members until May, 1847, when they again hired 
Brooks's Hall, and had preaching by such as they 
could procure from Sabbath to Sabbath, imtil Sep- 
tember of the same year, when Rev. E. Tuttle was 
invited to come amongst them, and accepted the in- 
vitation. — No public meetings, it is believed, are 
now held. 

City Point Chapel. 

It being deemed desirable to have a place of wor- 
ship at the Point, and where a Sabbath School could 
be gathered, a movement was made to collect the 
required funds for the purpose. The South Baptist 
Church took the lead in the matter, and on August 
6th, 1854, a very neat and commodious Chapel was 
dedicated. Rev. Mr. Bosworth preaching the ser- 
mon. It is 50 feet long, 31 feet wide, and 30 feet 
high, and cost $2,300. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

MATTAPAN LITERARY ASSOCIATION BLIND ASYLUM 

SCHOOL FOR IDIOTS. 

The importance of a Literary Association for the 
benefit of the young men of South Boston was for 
many years felt by a portion of our citizens, and 
several times attempts were made to establish, per- 
manently, such an institution. These endeavors, 
however, proved abortive, till the spring of 1848. 
About this time a young man wrote several articles 
for the Gazette, on the advantages to be derived 



MATTAPAN LITERARY ASSOCIATION. 183 

from a Literary Association, as also on the feasibility 
of instituting a society for young men in South Bos- 
ton. These articles attracted the attention of the 
community, and so aroused the young men that on 
the 18th of April, 1848, a few of them met in coun- 
cil, and decided to call a more general meeting. 

Accordingly, on the 15th of May, a preliminary 
meeting of those favorable to the formation of a so- 
ciety for literary improvement was held at the 
counting room of John P. Monks, Esq. A large 
number responded, and a Committee was chosen to 
draft a constitution and to call another meeting when 
they should be prepared to report. On the 23d of 
May, they met at the Yestry of the Phillips Church 
to hear the report of the Committee. The Consti- 
tution proposed by them was adopted, and we give 
the first two or three articles as showing the design 
of the society. 

" Article I. This Association shall be called the 
Mattapan Literary Association. 

" Article II. The object of this Association shall 
be the mutual improvement of its members in lite- 
rary accomplishments, as Declamation, Composition, 
and Debate. 

'' Article III. The government of this Association 
shall be vested in a President, Vice-President, Trea- 
surer and five Directors, who together shall consti- 
tute an Executive Committee." 

The names of the original members, at the founda- 
tion of the Association, are as follows : — 

Benjamin Pope, F. H. Jenney, Judah Baker, Jr., 
Charles H. Loring, J. W. Hildreth, William S. 
Thatcher, Henry A. Drake, W. H. Colburn, J. H. 
Crane, E. J. Whiton, G. S. Dexter, Daniel B. Curtis, 
S. W. Goodhue, J. W. Bianchard, Jr., F. A. Nicker- 



184 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

son, W. R. Barker, Benjamin Thayer, W. A. Brabi- 
ner, N. P. Mann, Jr., B. E. Corlew, W. J. Monks. 

The Association chose the following board of offi- 
cers for the first year : — 

Daniel B. Curtis, President. 

George S. Dexter, Vice-President. 

Benjamin Pope, Secretary. 

Stephen W. Goodhue, Treasurer. 
For the better accomplishment of the objects of 
the society, Sub-Committees are appointed on each 
of the exercises, and on them is laid the responsibi- 
lity of providing contributions for the occasion. The 
meetings of the Association are held on every Mon- 
day evening. 

On the evening of the 17th of January, 1849, the 
Mattapans gave a public literary entertainment at 
Lyceum Hall. The Hall was crowded to its utmost 
capacity, and the gratification expressed by the de- 
lighted audience could not but prove encouraging to 
the young men of the society. The exercises con- 
sisted of Declamation and the reading of Composi- 
tions. The following was the Programme on the 
occasion : — 

Introductory Address, by James D. Russell. Po- 
em, by Benjamin Pope. Declamation — Curse of the 
Doge of Venice, by William A. Brabiner. Compo- 
sition, Charles W. Dexter. Declamation, Matthew 
Sprague, Jr. Declamation, Henry A. Drake. Com- 
position, Samuel H. Jenks, Jr. Declamation, Benja- 
min E. Cole and Stephen B. Bowles. Composition, 
Stephen W. Goodhue. Declamation, Jolm W. Blan- 
chard, Jr. Dialogue, Court Scene, from the Mer- 
chant of Venice — B. E. Cole, M. Sprague, Jr., J. W. 
Blanchard, Jr., Charles H. Loring, S. B. Bowles, 
W. J. Monks, H. A. Drake. 



MATTAPAN LITERARY ASSOCIATION. 185 

The exhibitions have been continued from year to 
year, and have added much to the reputation and 
interest of the Association, which is now in a very 
prosperous condition, and numbers about one hundred 
and twenty-five young men, many of them persons of 
excellent talents and sterling worth. The young men 
of South Boston, those who are soon to bear the 
burden and heat of the day, may here be seen eager- 
ly endeavoring to fit themselves for future usefulness. 
The exercises are well sustained, and the good or- 
der preserved at the meetings is proverbial. It may 
not be uninterestino- to know the nature of the sub- 
jects the Association have discussed, and we subjoin 
a few. 

" Ought a man to sustain the laws of his country 
against his conscience ?" 

^' Ought capital punishment to be abolished ?" 

" Which is the most influential, — the press or the 
pulpit ?" 

" Has our legislature pursued a judicious course 
in chartering so many rail-roads ?" 

" Would the dissolution of the Union hasten the 
abolition of slavery ?" 

All these subjects are matters of great impor- 
tance, and it cannot but be pleasing to see the young 
men of South Boston thus engaged in fitting them- 
selves for the important duties of public life. 

The Constitution provides that any young man of 
good moral character, who has attained the age of 
sixteen years, upon being recommended by a member 
of the Association, may become a member, by sub- 
scribing the Constitution and paying assessments. 

The Association has a fine Library of about 2000 
volumes, the value of which to the young men cannot 
be over-estimated. 
16^- 



186 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON. 

The following is a list of the persons who have 
acted as President of the Association. 

From June 1st, 1848, to June 1st, 1849, Daniel B. Curtis. 

*« 1849, " " 1850, — George S. Dexter. 

" 1850, " " 1851, Henry A. Drake. 

«' 1851, " " 1852, H. A. Drake. 

" 1852, " " 1853, Benjamin Pope. 

«* 1853, «« " 1854, Horace Smith. 

" 1854, «< « 1855, Sewall C. Cobb. 

" 1855, '< " 1856, Luther L. White. 

" 1856, " " 1857, Benjamin Pope. 

" 1857, Daniel B. Curtis. 

We cannot close this sketch without mentioning 
that the person through whose endeavors the Asso- 
ciation was founded, and who still remains an active 
member of the society, was Mr. Benjamin Pope. 
We conclude with an extract from his Poem, on 
" Self-Conceit," read at the first public Exercise of 
the Mattapan Literary Association. 

" Pair Mattapan, 'tis from yon glorious height 
We view the treasures of thy varied shore, 
And gather there the gems of hidden ore 
That Clio spreads before our mental sight. 
Thy thirst for science, like thy zeal for right 
When Freedom waver 'd 'mid the battle's roar. 
Has seen Association nobly soar. 
To add to Learning, Friendship's sweet delight ! 
Be this our pride and pleasure, to behold 
The grasping spirit of the youthful mind 
Explore those mines of literary gold. 
That ardent souls by perseverance find. 
'Tis then that our time honored Heights shall be 
The proudest beacons of our liberty." 



INSTITUTION FOR THE BLIND. 187 

Perkins Institution for' the Blind. 

In the year 1829, an act incorporating the Trus- 
tees of the New England Asylum for the Blind was 
passed by the Legislature of Massachusetts. Soon 
after the passage of this act, Dr. Samuel G. Howe 
was despatched to Europe to visit the various insti- 
tutions for the blind in that part of the world, and 
to gather from them such information as would be 
necessary to establish a similar institution in Boston. 
In 1832, he returned, accompanied by a most accom- 
plished young blind man, who had been educated at 
the Paris Institution for the Blind, and who was 
well versed in the classics, in histor}^, in mathematics, 
and knew the secret of being able to impart his 
knowledge to others. A blind mechanic was also 
procured from Edinburgh, to teach different kinds of 
work. 

Having thus made the most extensive preparations, 
the experiment was tried in July, 1832. Six blind 
persons from different parts of the State, varying in 
age from six to twenty years, were taken at random, 
and immediately placed under the instruction of the 
blind teachers. Books with raised letters were 
printed for their use, and in six months they were 
able to read correctly with their fingers the volumes 
that had been prepared. An exhibition of their ac- 
quirement was made before the Legislature of Mas- 
sachusetts, and the result was so satisfactory, that 
an appropriation of $6000 from the funds of the 
State was immediately made, on condition that twen- 
ty poor blind persons from Massachusetts should be 
educated free of cost at the Institution. 

Exhibitions were also made before the public, and 
they awakened the community to the duty of pro- 



188 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON. 

viding a suitable establishment for the education of 
the Blind. Considerable sums of money were col- 
lected, and the Institution Avas immediately placed 
on a firm basis. Among the most liberal donors was 
Thomas H. Perkins, who gave his mansion-house in 
Pearl street, as a residence for the Blind. In one 
month, fifty thousand dollars were raised, and placed 
to the credit of the Institution. Exhibitions were 
afterwards made in all the New England States, and 
in several of the Middle and Western States, and 
the appeal in favor of the blind was answered by an 
appropriation of $1000 per annum for twelve years 
by the State of Connecticut; $500 by New Hamp- 
shire, and $1200 for ten years by Vermont. 

As music is the field which seems to offer to the 
blind the fairest competition with clairvoyanSj Low- 
ell Mason, Esq., was engaged to instruct the pupils 
in the art of using the voice in singing, and also the 
piano forte and organ. Arithmetic, history and 
geography occupied the attention of the blind, and 
they were also taught to make mats, different kinds 
of basket work, and mattresses. 

During the year 1834, a printing press and a com- 
plete set of types were procured, and during that 
year the Acts of the Apostles was printed. The 
next year, the foundation of a band of music was 
laid, and since that time the male pupils have prac- 
tised upon the clarionet, flute, horn, violin, violincello 
and bass viol ; and are now enabled to play in a 
manner which would do credit to any orchestra. 
The pupils were also instructed in writing, and sent 
by mail very legible letters to their friends. 

In the early part of the year 1839, the Mount 
Washington House, in South Boston, built a few 
years previously at a cost of $110,000 for a hotel, was 



INSTITUTION FOR THE BLIND. 189 

offered to the Trustees in exchange for the estate in 
Pearl street. This important step was taken after 
long- and careful deliberation, and after obtaining a 
special vote of the Corporation. 

The terms of the transaction were an even ex- 
change of the land and buildings in Pearl street, for 
the lot on which the Mount Washington House is 
situated, with all its buildings, being an inclosure of 
55,000 feet, and also a lot situated on the opposite 
side of Broadway, containing 20,000 feet. The re- 
moval of the establishment presented an opportunity 
of connecting the name of Mr. Perkins perpetually 
with the Institution, and accordingly a vote of the 
Corporation changed the name to that of the " Per- 
kins Institution and Massachusetts Asylum for 
THE Blind." In May, the inmates were removed, 
and the expense incurred by the removal was paid 
by several benevolent gentlemen, one of whom, Sam- 
uel Appleton, contributed one thousand dollars. 

At the same time the Institution was presented 
with an organ valued at three thousand dollars, on 
condition that the name of the donor should be con- 
cealed. Accidental circumstances, however, disclos- 
ed it, and '^ Presented by George Lee " is engraved 
on a tablet placed on the front of the organ which 
stands in the Exhibition Hall. 

Since that time the Institution has increased ra- 
pidly in numbers and usefulness. Various improve- 
ments have been made in the building, and every 
thing which could be done to render the establish- 
ment useful as a place of instruction for those de- 
prived of the blessing of sight, has been accomplished. 

In 1849, an excellent workshop for the use of the 
Blind was erected directly in front of the Mount 
Washington House, on the Old Road. This build- 



190 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

ing, which cost more than $10,000, is throe stories 
hi(^h, and is arran,a;cd to accommodate all the differ- 
ent trades in which those deprived of sight can en- 
gage. -Here are manufactured mattresses of every 
description, filled with hair, husks, palm-leaf and 
cotton. Pew cushions, sofas and couches are also 
stuffed, while vast quantities of mats are made in 
looms, constructed expressly for this establishment. 
In the cellar is a steam engine designed to supply 
steam for the clcansino; of feathers. The hair for 
mattresses is also here taken in its raw state, and 
prepared for use. These blind workmen likewise 
manufacture the celebrated fibre mats now so much 
in use. 

Intimately associated with the name of the Asylum 
for the Blind in South Boston, is that of Laura 
Bridgman, whose peculiar condition, as regards the 
loss of bodily senses, has attracted the attention and 
awakened the sympathy of the humane through the 
whole civilized world. During the twenty years 
since she entered the Asylum, most of our citizens 
have become familiar with her personal appearance, 
either in the streets or in the exhibition room, and 
all are acquainted with the fact that she has from 
earliest childhood been entirely blind, deaf, and 
dumb, and almost deprived of the sense of smell. 
They all know, too, the proficiency she has made, 
under these deprivations, in the different branches 
of study. It is considered unnecessary, therefore, to 
record here a particular account of her, further than 
to present to the reader a few items of her early 
history, which were recorded by Dr. Howe on her 
first entrance. In his sixth annual report, published 
early in 1838, the year after her admission (at the 
age of eight years), he writes of her as follows : — 



LAURA BRIDGMAN. 191 

" Laura was born of intelligent and respectable pa- 
rents, in Hanover, N. H. When a mere infant, she 
was subject to very painful and dangerous ' fits,' the 
nature of which does not seem to have been well un- 
derstood. Until twenty months old, though a pretty 
and interesting child, she was weak and fragile — a 
breath would have blown out the flame ; but at that 
age she began to rally ; her health seemed firmly 
established ; her mental faculties rapidly developed 
themselves, and when she attained her second year 
she was more intelligent and sprightly than common 
children ; she could already prattle some words, and 
had mastered the difference between A and B. But 
in a month after her sky was again overcast ; she sick- 
ened and came near unto death ; the disease, however, 
seemed to be baffled within, and to have fastened 
upon the external organs of sense, and in five weeks 
it was perceived that her sight and hearing were 
forever destroyed. During seven weeks of pain and 
fever she tasted not a morsel of food ; for five months 
she was obliged to be kept in a darkened room ; it was 
a year before she could walk unsupported, and two 
years before she could sit up all day. She was now 
four years old, and as her health and strength began 
to be established, she learned to go about tlie house 
and manifested a desire to be employed j not by her 
looks, for she was blind — not by words, for she was 
dumb. She could, it is true, for a time pronounce 
the few words she had before learned ; but not hear- 
ing the sound of her oion voice, she soon lost the 
command of her articulation — the sound answered not 
to the thought — the will lost command of the tongue 
— and the last articulate word she was ever heard 
to utter, was ^ book ! ' But she was not only deaf, 
and dumb, and blind; her isolation was still more 



192 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

complete — the sense of smell was so blunted as to 
be entirely useless, and only affected by pungent 
odors ; of course, half the pleasure of taste was 
gone, and she manifested indifference about the fla- 
vor of food. 

" It would seem that in this total darkness — this 
dreary stillness — this isolation from all communica- 
tion with kindred spirits, the immaterial mind must 
have remained in infantile imbecility, while the body 
grew in stature and strength, or have attained a per- 
ception of its loneliness, only to pine and die at the 
discovery. But not so ; every day she became more 
active and more cheerful; and she is now (as far as 
the closest scrutiny can ascertain the state of her 
mind) not only unrepining, but contented and happy. 
The sense of touch alone remains, and the sight of 
this unfortunate girl fills one with admiration, not 
only of the perfection of the senses, but of the won- 
derful power of the mind to adapt its operations to 
any circumstances of its bodily tenement — to put it- 
self in relation with external things, and to obtain 
its own stimuli and manifest its own emotions 
through the most imperfect media. 

" There is the strongest evidence of a thirst for 
knowledge — of an internal, intellectual want which 
can be gratified only by a new idea. Her greatest 
pleasure is to learn a new stitch — a new way of 
knitting or braiding — a new word — or to discover 
the application and use of any new thing ; and her 
eagerness to learn is only equalled by the quickness 
of perception which she manifests. 

'- There is strong hope that, if her life is spared; 
the patient and persevering efforts of the humane, 
aided by the ingenuity and councils of the wise, will 
succeed in throwing much light into her dreary pri- 



SCHOOL FOR IDIOTS. 193 

son, and be rewarded not only by the satisfaction of 
imparting happiness, but by new views of the opera- 
tions of mind." 

It is gratifying to be able to state that the hope 
here so feelingly expressed has not been disap- 
pointed. (See Appendix H.) 

Massachusetts School for Idiots. 

This institution is also located in South Boston, 
and occupies a large building at City Point. 

The school is under the superintendence of Dr. 
S. G. Howe, and the house under the immediate su- 
pervision of Mrs. McDonald and her son. The house 
contains a reception-room, parlor, dining-room, school- 
rooms, sleeping-rooms, &c. There are at present in 
the school 51 scholars, boys and girls, ranging from 
the ages of 7 to 15 years, all in excellent health, 
and to all appearances much attached to their teach- 
ers, who are very attentive to the wants of these 
unfortunate children. At five o'clock, all the year 
round, they rise, and retire in winter at 7 o'clock, 
and in summer at 8 o'clock. The larger boys occupy 
a room by themselves, and the girls and smaller 
boys a separate one. Each sleeping-roora has an. 
ante-room attached to it, in which an attendant 
sleeps, and a bathing-room, where the children are 
bathed every morning. They breakfast at half past 
six, dine at twelve, and sup at five o'clock. Belong- 
ing to the school, in another building, is a spacious 
gymnasium, where the scholars are exercised every 
day. The children are in the school-room six hours 
a day, and are instructed, those who have the power 
of speech, in reading and writing — the others la 
form, color, size, &c. The girls are also instructed, 
in needlework. 
17 



194 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTOX. 



CHAPTER XVIL 



STREETS,. 



The laying out of streets at Mattapannock receiv- 
ed little or no attention previous to its annexation 
to the town of Boston. The main pathway from 
Dorchester to the Point, which was originally trod- 
den by the Mattapan cattle in going daily to and 
from their pasture, had in the course of time become 
a public street ; but the proprietors or owners of the 
land, who do not seem always to have fully agreed 
with the town authorities in regard to keeping this 
street and its fences in repair, held the " pasture " 
itself in common till the year 1718. At their meet- 
ing, held November 2Gth, of that year, a vote was 
passed to fence their several lots, but nothing seems 
to have been done respecting any passage way or 
street besides the said '^ Causeway over to Dorches- 
ter Neck," Avhich was then represented to be " defec- 
tive and out of repair." The plan of Mattapannock, 
drawn in 1776, by the British General Howe, and 
which has been engraved for this work, shows that 
little change had then been made in the public high- 
ways of the place. In 1804, as stated in a previous 
chapter, many acres of land at Dorchester Neck had 
been purchased by several distinguished and wealthy 
citizens of Boston, and the project of annexing the 
Neck to the latter place was started by them, and 
warmly advocated or opposed by others according 
as they were interested in the matter. We find 
that the people of Boston proposed, as one of the 
first conditions of annexation, that their Selectmen 
should have liberty, without compensation to the 



STREETS. 195 

land-owners, to la}' out all necessary " streets, public 
squares and market places." It would seem that the 
want of this foresight in their ancestors, which then 
made and which still makes the streets of Boston 
more crooked and irregular than those of almost any 
other city, w^as beginning to be understood and felt. 
At all events they were determined, as shown by 
their proceedings in this instance, to secure for their 
descendants, in the city which might grow up over 
the then fair fields and verdant pastures of Matta- 
pannock, the blessing of regular, wide and commodi- 
ous streets. This condition was accordingly intro- 
duced into the Act of Annexation passed by the Legis- 
lature ; and to show that it had reference to the 
future, rather than to the present, it was likewise 
provided that the town of Boston should not be 
obliged to complete the streets thus laid out, sooner 
than the Selectmen might deem expedient. A plan 
of the streets was very soon after drawn by Mr. 
Mather Withington, a distinguished surveyor of Dor- 
chester ; and after various meetings of the Selectmen 
of Boston and the proprietors of South Boston lands, 
it was approved by all parties, and the Selectmen 
proceeded formally in February, 1805, to lay out 
the streets. Those thus agreed upon and laid out 
were, as far as they went, and in their general ar- 
rangement, nearly the same as we now find them. 

First, Dorchester street was to run from the old 
Causeway road, at the division line between Dor- 
chester and Boston, north 63 degrees east, not to 
the water as at present, but to Broadway. It was 
to be 80 feet wide. From the northerly end of 
Dorchester street they marked out a noble avenue, 
destined to be one of the finest streets in our city, 
and now the pride of our peninsula. It was to run 



196 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

" southerly 84i degrees east to the sea or salt wa- 
ter, and northerly 24 degrees west until it meets 
the line of the Turnpike," also 80 feet wide, and 
was called Broadway. North of this, and parallel 
thereto, were our present First, Second and Third 
streets, — a large portion of the westerly end of the 
first one not then reclaimed from the salt water. 
These were each 50 feet wide, and varying from 
310J to 220 feet distant from Broadway and from 
each other. Southward of Broadway, and com- 
mencing at and running westerly from Dorchester 
street, were four streets, parallel to Broadway, 
reaching to the Turnpike, and thence bending in a 
direction parallel with the line of South Boston 
Bridge to the sea. These were then and are still 
called Fourth, Fifth, Sixth and Seventh streets ; they 
were to be 250 feet from each other, and the one 
nearest to Broadway 276 feet therefrom. On the 
easterly side of Dorchester street, besides the 
streets mentioned, numerically named, — were Eighth 
and Ninth streets, making six streets here south of 
Broadway, parallel to it, each 50 feet wide, and 250 
feet from each other. These streets were to extend 
easterly to the water, some of them reaching it by 
passing on the northerly and some on the southerly 
side of the Heights, and some traversing over them 
and extending to the Point. 

Intersecting these, and forming cross streets, were 
laid out six public ways west of Dorchester street, 
beginning 500 feet from the Turnpike, and running 
exactly at right angles across Broadway, all to be 
500 feet apart, 50 feet wide, and reaching from the 
Dorchester boundary line north to the sea. East of 
Dorchester street, and also at right angles with 
Broadwa}^, were ten other streets, 50 feet wide, and 



P^:}j!!inirLK\\:( 




STREETS. 197 

from 376 to 680 feet apart — all rimniiig from the 
salt water on the south — some of them across the 
Heights — to Boston harbor on the north. All these 
v/ere designated by the letters of the alphabet — A 
street being the first from the Turnpike, and Q street 
at the Point near the yrater. In addition, were two 
short streets near Dorchester street, — one running 
parallel with the cross streets and called Old Har- 
bor street, the other at right angles with them and 
called Telegraph street. 

Such was the original plan of the streets as agreed 
upon by the Selectmen of Boston and the proprie- 
tors. In 1809, the latter by deed appropriated to 
public use certain additional streets. A plan of 
them was made by Stephen Badlam, Esq., which plan, 
together with the deed, was deposited in the Suffolk 
Registry of Deeds office. By this deed, Dorchester 
street was continued north to the water, and some 
change was made in the course of Fourth street from 
Dorchester to G street. But the principal feature 
of the deed v/as the laying out the twenty-foot 
streets, as they have been called, which were marked 
in the plan half way between the existing length- 
wise streets — -viz., between First and Second, be- 
tween Second and Third, &c., to Seventh street. 
This deed was signed by thirty-eight proprietors of 
South Boston lands — Gardiner Greene's name being 
at the head of the list. 

Soon after the Selectmen had laid out the streets 
in 1805, the proprietors had a plan of them printed, 
and made use of it in their sales of land. They con- 
tinued to use it for many years, and very little at- 
tention seems to have been paid to the matter by 
the town authorities. No deviations from the origi- 
nal plan were authorized by the Selectmen, yet it 
17-^ , 



198 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

was found that encroaclmicnts liad gradually been 
made upon tlie streets, and tlieir original location 
was in some instances changed. In consequence of 
this, and many doubts existing as to the correctness 
of the printed plan alluded to, a petition by Jona- 
than Hunnewell and others was presented in 1825 
to the Mayor and Aldermen, requesting that a sur- 
veyor be appointed to " ascertain the true bounds 
and levels of the streets, by comparing the true with 
the printed plan." The year following, a committee 
on the subject reported that the matter was deserv- 
ing attention, and accompanying their report was a 
resolution that Mather Withington and S. P. Fuller 
be employed to compare the plans and report the 
variations, and to suggest m.easures for reconciling 
the differences — also to ascertain the expense of 
^^ affixing monuments of -cedar posts at the corners of 
the several streets," and of deciding upon their rela- 
tive elevations. The report was accepted, but no 
part of the measures recommended was probably 
complied with. 

About this time the original plan of Mr. With- 
ington was lost. Fortunately, he was still living, 
though quite aged, and he was employed by the 
Mayor of Boston to draw another plan of the 
streets as originally laid out. This was furnished 
by Mr. "Withington, and is in possession of the City 
as an attested copy of Mr. W.'s original minutes. 
In 1828, when the North Free Bridge was complet- 
ed, it became necessary to open a new street from 
the south end of it to Dorchester Turnpike, which 
was accordingly done, and the new opening called 
Turnpike street. In 1831, the Board of Aldermen 
ordered that Second street, parts of which bordered 
on the northerly shore, " be made passable from 



STREETS. 199 

Turnpike to Dorchester streets," and in 1836 this 
street was filled up and graded its whole length. 

In 1837, an important movement was made in re- 
gard to the streets. In consequence of supposed 
encroachments upon the public highways, arising 
from the sales of landby the unauthorized plan already 
referred to, and from other causes, a committee was 
appointed by the City government to cause a new 
survey of the streets to be executed, conforming as 
nearly as practicable to the plan of Mr. Withington. 
Messrs. Stephen P. Fuller and Alexander Wads- 
worth, well known surveyors of Boston, were accord- 
ingly employed, and made an actual survey — and the 
plan was drawn and completed by Mr. Wads worth 
in 1841. It appeared by this survey that encroach- 
ments had been made upon the public streets in al- 
most every part of South Boston where buildings or 
fences had been put up ; and also that the location 
of some of the streets had been changed materially 
from the original plan, particularly in the distances 
between the streets crossing Broadway, from A to F, 
and in the northerly termination of First, Second, 
Third and Fifth streets, and the easterly termination 
of A street. Mr. Wadsworth's plan, however, did not 
conform strictly to the original one, but adopted 
some of these changes ; yet according to it the en- 
croachments were quite numerous, and in 1844 the 
City Marshal was directed to notify the individuals 
and corporations concerned of their existence, and 
that the City claimed full right to remove them from 
the premises whenever it should be deemed expedi- 
ent to complete the streets. The list of encroach- 
ments, according to Mr. Wadsworth's plan, then 
made out and published, numbered no less than nine- 
teen east of Dorchester street, and eighty-six west 



200 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

of it. Some of these have since been wholly or par* 
tially remedied, and others still remain in the same 
state. 

Besides this new survey, much was needed to be 
done in regard to the streets in South Boston. The 
population was continually increasing, the taxes 
raised in the Ward were augmenting, and complaints 
were becoming frequent that the City was spending 
far less upon the streets, for the comfort and con- 
venience of our citizens, than they were fairly enti- 
tled to claim. In consequence of this and other 
alleged grievances, a public meeting was held in 
1847, and a committee appointed to memorialize the 
City Government upon the subject. This was faith- 
fully and ably done by the Committee, and 750 
copies of the Memorial presented by them were or- 
dered by the City Council to be printed. (See Ap- 
pendix I.) 

This Memorial was not without its effect upon the 
City authorities. The southerly fort, on what was 
called Dorchester Heights, was soon after purchased 
by the City, at an expense of $112,000, and laid out 
for the use of the public forever. It has since been 
beautified with grass plats, gravel walks, and shade 
trees, is enclosed with an iron fence, and its summit 
affords one of the finest prospects in tlie United 
States. 

The construction of public sewers, which had alrea- 
dy been commenced in the more thickly-settled places, 
was afterwards prosecuted with vigor. In 1848, 
$1500 were expended upon a sewer in Dorchester 
and Second streets; in 1849, $1400 upon sewers in 
Broadway and Fourth streets; in 1852, was laid a 
sewer in the lower part of Third street, costing over 
$1200; in 1853, sewer in First, Second, I, and H 



STREETS. 



201 



streets and Broadway — $2813 48; in 1854, sewer 
in Fourth street, from G to Dorchester street — over 
$1200. These are only a portion of the items of 
expense in the way of drainage, which has been car- 
ried on extensively in our streets, and has contribu- 
ted to the comfort and health of our citizens. 

Much has also been done in the way of paving the 
streets. Turnpike street was first paved, from 
Fourth street to the North Free Bridge. In 1849 
Fourth street was paved from B to C street; and in 
1851 and 1852, it was paved the whole of the remain- 
ing distance from Turnpike to Dorchester street. 
Broadway was begun upon in 1850, and paved from 
B to D street; in 1851, from Dorchester to E ; in 
1852, from D to E, and also from Turnpike to B; 
and in 1853, from Dorchester to K. In 1854 and 
1855, parts of A, B, C, and First and Second streets 
were paved. All the paving, except in Fourth street 
west of Dorchester Avenue, has been done with the 
cobble or rounded stones, with suitable crossings 
of flag stones. 

In 1849, Fourth street was widened between Dor- 
chester and G streets, at an expense for land damages 
of $4089 20. In 1855 and 1 856 First st. was complet- 
ed from A to E street. In 1852, Broadway and Fourth 
street were graded, at an expense of $3000. In the 
same year, the City Marshal was ordered to notify 
all owners and abuttors on Broadway and Fourth 
streets, from Dorchester to Turnpike street, to pave 
their side-walks with brick or flat stones ; and after- 
wards the Superintendent of Streets was directed to 
pave all which had not been done, and charge the 
same to those who had neglected it. In 1852, an 
order was passed that Quincy, Gold, Silver, Athens 
and Bolton streets — being a part of the twenty-foot 



202 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

streets laid out by the proprietors of land in 1800 
— be accepted by the City. In 1856, a further or- 
der by the City Grovernment so far modified this ac- 
ceptance, that the abuttors were first required to 
relinquish all claim upon the City for damages in 
regulating the grade of these streets. In 1852, on 
the surrender of the Dorchester Turnpike as a toll 
passage way by the Turnpike Corporation, the por- 
tion of it in South Boston, from Fourth street to the 
Dorchester line, was accepted by the City. In 1853, 
the owners and abuttors on Broadway, between 
Dorchester and K streets, were directed to pave 
their side- walks with brick or flat stones. 

The alterations which have been made, from time 
to time, in the grade and level of some of the streets, 
has been a source of much inconvenience and expense. 
Great changes have in this respect been made in 
Broadway. It has been lowered many feet between 
Dorchester Avenue and B street, elevated between 
C and D streets, and again lowered from D to F 
street and above Dorchester street. On the easterly 
side of the hill it has also been raised at different 
times. Strong efforts were made, a few years since, 
to have the knoll a little westerly of A street, in 
Broadway, removed by the City; but stronger re- 
monstrances against it prevailed. Had it been done, 
a full view from its westerly end, up this fine avenue, 
for nearly three fourths of a mile, might have been 
enjoyed. 

The " twin hills," as they are called on General 
Howe's projection of the " Neck," have interfered 
not a little with the rectangular course of some of 
our streets, and their continuous track across the 
peninsula. One of these hills, afterwards immortal- 
ized in American history as "Dorchester Heights," 



STREETS. 208 

has since had a portion of its summit crowned by 
the water reservoir, as mentioned in another place, 
and new avenues around it, and new walks through its 
capacious and commanding Park, have been found 
necessary. The other has been obliged to yield, 
with a more ignoble result to itself, to the march 
of improvement, and is destined, like the less pre- 
tending Nook's Hill which it once overlooked on the 
west, to disappear before the peaceful but effective 
attack of the pickaxe and shovel. Deep excavations 
through it have for several years past been connect- 
ing portions of streets which it had served to sepa- 
rate, and none of them will much longer be obliged 
by it to turn aside or stop short in their regular 
course. 

The City lands, near the Point, on which the pub- 
lic institutions have for many years been located, 
have also interfered with the orderly and convenient 
arrangement of the streets in that part of our ward. 
These, too, are in a fair way to become opened to 
public travel, and to afford sites for private dwell- 
ings, churches and school-houses. In 1854, the old 
stockade fence enclosing: them was removed, and 
Broadway, Second and Third streets laid out through 
the lands and ordered to be graded. The grade of 
Broadway was changed, in order to preserve the 
beautiful elevation at this place. Some of the 
grounds were prepared for the market, and subse- 
quently sold. Among the first sites which were se- 
cured in the new territory, was one for the present 
Baptist Chapel, which was done by a party of spirit- 
ed and benevolent gentlemen of South Boston; thus 
placing Religion in the position which it is hoped 
may ever be granted to it in similar undertakings 
that of a leader and pioneer. 



204 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

In 1855, the Committee on Public Lands were re- 
quired by the City Council to consider the expedien- 
cy of laying out a portion of these lands for a Public 
Square, and were also directed to set apart from 
them a lot for a Market Place. 

When the present plans in regard to all our streets 
shall be fully carried out, they will not suffer by 
comparison with those of our finest cities. Extensions 
will be needed, as the solid land is from time to time 
made to reach further into the water ; and are even 
now required over the new territory which a recent 
annexation has transferred from Dorchester. The 
larger ones are also fast becoming beautified and 
shaded by the taste and labor of individuals and the 
efforts of our efficient Tree Association. 



CHAPTER XYIII. 

MANUFACTORIES. 

South Boston has long been famous for its exten- 
sive manufactories. Before 1800, Dix & Brinley had 
Chemical Works on the shore near where Boston 
Wharf was afterwards built, the workmen coming 
over from Boston in boats. In 1811, the proprietors 
of the Essex street Glass Works erected large build- 
ings on the same shore, and to supply the necessary 
workmen sent an agent to England. Before his re- 
turn, the war with that country broke out, fuel could 
therefore not be obtained, and the project failed. 
Among the nmnber who came over from England 
about this time, was our respected citizen, Thomas 
Cains, Esq. He possessed the art of mixing the 



MANUFACTORIES. 205 

materials to make flint-glass, and understanding all 
the other branches of the business, prevailed upon 
the proprietors to put up a small six-pot flint furnace 
at South Boston. This was the first successful at- 
tempt of the kind in this part of the country, and 
Mr. C. may be considered as the father of the flint- 
glass business in the Atlantic States. 

Without attempting to mention or trace down the 
many business projects which have been undertaken 
in South Boston, we will proceed to particularize a 
few of the largest now or very recently carried on 
here — several of which are unrivalled, in their pe- 
culiar branches, in the United States. 



South Boston Iron Works. — These extensive 
Works have long been the pride of our Ward, and 
have added greatly to the growth and prosperity of 
this section of the city. For a more full account of 
them, the reader is referred to an obituary notice, in 
another chapter, of Cyrus Alger, Esq., who for so 
many years was at their head. The Works consist 
of a large brick gun-shop, a moulding and casting 
building, a pattern and cleaning shop, with other 
necessary and extensive buildings — situated on Foun- 
dry street, near the westerly end of Broadway. 



Union Works. — Next adjoining southerly to the 
South Boston Iron Company's Works, is a large- 
manufactory which was occupied for a time success- 
fully by Seth Wilmarth. Mr. W. made a contract 
for building thirty locomotives for the Erie Railroad.. 
Some difficulty occurred in regard to the payment... 
which obliged him to suspend operations, and the 
extensive shops are now unoccupied. 
18 



206 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

Adamses Printing Press and Machine Shop. — 
North of the buildings occupied by the South Boston 
Iron Company, are a number of work-shops, in exter- 
nal appearance not Ycry attractive ; but the produc- 
tions of the workmen in them have exerted a more 
wide spread and beneficial influence than perhaps 
those of any other works in the country. We refer 
to the Adams Printing Press manufactory. For 
nearly a quarter of a century power-presses of dif- 
ferent sizes have been sent out from this establish- 
ment, not merely to all parts of our own country, 
but also to the old world, where their superiority to 
anything of the kind there manufactured is univer- 
sally admitted. The Adams Press is by far the best 
ever invented ; indeed, it is the only one now in 
general use for book printing. Truly we may feel 
proud of having for one of our citizens such a public 
benefactor as Mr. Isaac Adams. 

These works were commenced here in 1836, by 
Seth Adams, the well-known sugar refiner — a bro- 
ther of Isaac — for whose inventions and improve- 
ments the printers are also much indebted. 

The works have since been much enlarged, to meet 
the necessities of the Company. In addition to 
Printing Presses and other book machinery, they 
manufacture Sugar Mills, Steam Engines, both sta- 
tionary and marine — Steam Boilers, &c. The firm 
give employment to from 100 to 150 men. 

Mr Adams last year obtained, by a special act of 
Congress, an extension of his patent on the printing 
press ; and it may be here mentioned, as a most sin- 
gular as well as complimentary fact, that his petition 
for an extension received the aid and support of all 
the leading Publishers and Printers in the country. 



^^^ ^^/' /^/^ tr 'i- ^f^^r^ ^^ 




ri^hi. Sm-i-j 



::^^^^^' ^T/^ ^ t/>^^2^.!^5?^-^^ ^<y 



MANUFACTORIES. 207 

Mr. A. has recently bought out the interest of his 
kite partners, W. B. Dodge and G. H. Evcrson, and 
is now sole proprietor. 



The Fulton Iron Foundry. — Situated on Dor- 
chester Avenue, just at the main entrance to South 
Boston, is the large brick building of the Fulton Iron 
Foundry Company — surmounted by a cupola and 
bell. Greorge C. Thacher, who with his brother 
Thomas Thacher and William G. Billings originated 
these works, and who until recently had the manage- 
ment of the same, was formerly connected with Mr. 
Cyrus Alger in the Foundry business. In 1835, 
having left Mr. Alger, he, in company with Thacher 
(Thomas) and Billings, commenced building a Foun- 
dry on the site of the present works, and in 1836 
they formed themselves into a Corporation, the act 
for which was passed that year by the Legislature. 
A year had scarcely elapsed, before the original 
building, the success of which at the time of starting 
seemed to some doubtful, was found to be entirely 
inadequate to meet the demands made upon the 
Company for work, and a large addition, more exten- 
sive and commodious than the original building, 
was erected. In 1842, the old building, with the 
addition, being still too limited for the steadily in- 
creasing business, which under the successful man- 
agement of Mr. George C. Thacher had accumulated 
to an unexpected amount, was removed, and in its 
place the present pleasing and appropriate structure 
was erected. In a few years the Company found it 
necessary to still further increase their facilities for 
supplying the demands made upon them for work, 
and from time to time some tliree extensive addi- 
tions have been made, the last of which (from its 



208 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON. 

size a Foundry almost of itself) is believed to be 
the most substantial and convenient of the kind in 
the country, makino;- the establishment one of the 
most perfect in the United States. 

The land occupied by the Company extends over 
an area of upwards of three acres, bounded on the 
rear by the channel, affording admirable facilities for 
reception or delivery l)y water, and in the Foundry 
building itself may be found almost every conve- 
nience at present known for a successftd fulfilment of 
any order for all kinds of iron castings. 

The enormously large and difficult castings for the 
engines of the United States Steam Frigate Saranac, 
which was being constructed by Jabez Coney, were 
cast at this establishment, the quality and perfection 
of which, excited the admiration of all experienced 
in such matters, who had an opportunity of examining 
the same. The Company are now successfully pro- 
secuting the casting of iron in all its different 
branches. 

Mr. Thacher continued to give his undivided time 
and attention to these works, until about some two 
years since, when the state of his health, which 
had at times previously been feeble, admonished 
him to take that rest and quietude which it was 
hoped would restore him to his former strength and 
activity. But in this his friends were disappointed ; 
he gradually declined, although he frequently visited 
the works, until, on the 21st of October, 1856, he 
departed this life, universally respected and beloved. 
It was truly a singular coincidence, that both Messrs. 
Cyrus Alger and George C. Thacher, the oldest and 
most experienced Iron Founders in this country, 
former partners and early settlers of South Boston, 
should both die in the same year. 



MANUFACTORIES. 209 

Coney's Foundry — Was built in the fall of 1837, 
adjoining Mr. Adams's Works. In 1843 was com- 
menced, here, the building of an Iron Steamer for the 
United States, called the McLean, which was launch- 
ed in 1845. Its length was 140 feet, breadth 22 
feet, depth of hold 11 feet G inches. Weight of the 
hull, complete, 275,000 pounds, and the vessel of 
450 tons burthen. In 1848, Mr. Coney contracted 
with the United States Government to build the ma- 
chinery for the War Steamer Saranac, the hull being 
built at the United States Navy Yard at Portsmouth, 
N. H. This contract was completed on the 7th day 
of February, 1850, since which time Mr. Coney has 
been confined to his house by a paralytic affection, 
and in consequence his business was suspended and 
the work shop closed. 



Globe Locomotive Works. — ^^The business was first 
carried on at these works by Lyman & Souther, who 
commenced at the corner of First and A streets in 
the year 1846. From this time they kept in their 
employ from twenty to seventy-five men, until 1849, 
when Mr. Souther bought of Mr. Lyman his interest 
in the firm, property and business, and carried on 
the concern alone under the style of the " Globe 
Works," until May 1st, 1851. Business increased so 
rapidly that he found it necessary to extend his fa- 
cilities to be enabled to fill his orders, which he did 
by leasing the establishment occupied previously by 
Jabez Coney, in Foundry street, employing at both 
places some three hundred men, and manufacturing 
every variety of machinery of the very best quality. 
In the years 1852 and 1853, Mr. Joseph R, Ander- 
son was associated with Mr. Souther as superinten- 
dent of the work, during which time was manufactur- 
18* 



210 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON. 

ed in this shop the large Borer for the tunnelling of 
Hoosac Mountain. This gigantic piece of machinery 
is probably the largest ever constructed in New 
England, its weight being upwards of one hundred 
tons, and excited the wonder of all who examined it. 
In 1853, Mr. Souther greatly enlarged his premises 
on A street, making them extensive enough to ac- 
commodate the entire business of the Company, 
which was organized as an incorporated body May 1, 
1854. The capital stock of the Company is 
$100,000. John Souther (the original founder) was 
chosen President, and D. N. Pickering Treasurer. 
Mr. Souther is a native of South Boston, and served 
his apprenticeship in the place. His sterling integ- 
•rity as a man, and his practical knowledge of the de- 
tails of business, render him peculiarly well fitted 
for the position which he occupies. Mr. Pickering, 
the Treasurer, is also a practical machinist, having 
been superintendent of machinery on the Boston & 
Worcester Railroad, superintendent of several other 
Railroads, and possessing considerable experience in 
building and repairing railroad machinery. The 
business of the Company is now in a very prosper- 
'Ous condition, they employing about 300 men, and 
turning out machinery equal to $350,000 per annum, 
— comprising Locomotives, Excavators, Sugar MillS; 
Stationery Engines, Boilers, and general machinery. 



Loring^s Works. — Harrison Loring is proprietor 
of one of our most popular establishments for the 
manufacture of large stationary and marine engines. 
He commenced the manufacture of machinery in 
1847, and now employs 200 men, with every mechani- 
cal facility for increasing to 100 more. Although 
f devoting his chief attention to stationary and marine 



MANUFACTORIES. 211 

engines and boilers, lie lias built almost every varie- 
ty, from a machine for making nails to a first-class 
steainsliip. Mr. Loring is a native of Duxbury, Mass., 
and served his apprenticeship with Mr. Jabez Coney, 
of South Boston. He spent one season in Cuba, su- 
perintending the erection of engines and machinery, 
and at the early age of 22 years commenced business 
on his own account, employing from 15 to 30 men 
the first year. Mr. Loring is both a practical and 
theoretical mechanic, and has been successful in 
every thing in this line tliat he has undertaken. He 
built the machinery of the Steamer " City of Boston," 
which, after construction, was purchased by the 
United States Government for the Pacific ; and re- 
modelled the machinery of the United States Steam* 
er John Hancock, employed on the Japan Expedi- 
tion. He was also the builder of the screw propel- 
ler "Enoch Train," rated as the fastest of her class 
in the country. He has recently commenced the 
building of Iron Steamships. 



The Bay State Iron Company's Works — Situ- 
ated at City Point, employ some three hundred men, 
in the manufacture of railroad iron — being the larg- 
est and most extensive works of the kind in New 
England. The work made here is of the most supe- 
rior quality, and equals if not surpasses any other 
manufactured in the country. They are under the gen- 
eral superintendence of Ralph Crooker, long and fa- 
vorably known as Superintendent of the Boston Iron 
Company Works. John H. Reed is Treasurer of 
the Company. The mills are kept in operation con- 
tinually, day and night, and the buildings connected 
with the works are fire-proof and cover several acres 
of land. The process of rolling the iron is one of 



212 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON. 

the most interesting to visitors presented in any of 
our manufactories. The facility and speed with 
which the rails are made is truly wonderful. 



The Wire Works. — The bright flame throwing its 
glare over the sky, night after night, issuing from the 
wire works on Dorchester Avenue, attracts the at- 
tention of the stranger in visiting our city. Here 
one of the most novel and curious spectacles is pre- 
sented to the visitor. The hammering of the iron 
into bars and drawing it into wire is here done, and 
a large number of operatives are employed day and 
night in this work. The works were founded and 
carried on for several years by Henry S. Washburn, 
but have lately passed into the hands of Naylor 
& Co. 



Alger 6f* Reed's Forge — Is located adjoining. 
Here are forged the largest of anchors, and other 
forgings, there being in the works one of the heavi- 
est hammers now in use. The work from this 
establishment is of the highest order. Under the 
style of the "Forge," Messrs. Alger <fe Reed con- 
ducted these works until the death of the senior 
partner, Cyrus Alger, Jr., when Edward Reed under- 
took the management of them. The concern has 
lately passed into the hands of Francis Alger. 



Ship-Building. — Although we believe Lot Wheel- 
wright was first in the field of ship-building in South 
Boston, previous to 1822, still it was not until that 
year that much was done in this line, Capt. Noah 
Brooks then came from the Eastward, and set up a 
yard at the foot of F street. Here for years he 



MANUFACTORIES. 



213 



kept a large number of men at work. He was also 
very active in laboring for the good of the Ward, 
and his memory will always be gratefully cherished 
by those who knew him. He met with a sad death 
in January, 1852, by being thrown from his sleigh. 

Tlie barque Edward Fletcher was built by Capt. 
B., and was launched from back of the Forts, fully 
rigged. 

The well known ship-builders, E. & H. Briggs, 
were for a time in company with Noah Brooks in 
the business, but the partnership was dissolved in 
1847, and the Messrs. Briggs soon afterwards remov- 
ed to the Point, since which time they have built the 
following ships : — 

tons burthen. 



Nevv^ton, of 


450 


Reliance, 


450 


Oxenbridge, 


580 


Mary Glover, 
Berkshire, 


650 

650 


Southern Cross, 


1000 


Northern Light, 


1050 


Cape Cod, 
Winged Arrow, 
Meteor, 


850 
1150 
1150 


Golden Light, 


1150 


John Land, 


1150 


Bonita, 


1150 


Cyclone, 


1150 


Boston Light, 


1180 


Star Light, 


1180 


Grace Darling, 


1240 


Saracen, 


1300 


Cossack, 


600 


Vitula, 


1185 


M"ameluke, 


1300 



214 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

Fair Wind; 1300 tons burthen. 

Alarm, 1200 " * " 

Joseph Peabodv, 1200 " 

Asa Eldridge, "^ 1300 " 
Besides which, they now have two ships on the 
stocks, one of 800, and the other of 1000 tons bur- 
then. 

The reputation of the Messrs. Briggs is very high, 
and their clippers have made some of the quickest 
passages on record. 



American Flint Glass Works. — Among the many 
busy scenes of manufacture located in South Boston, 
there is none of more interest than the Glass Works 
situated on Second street, owned by P. F. Slane. 
In April, 1843, he commenced work in the old glass- 
house of the South Boston Glass Company, and gra- 
dually extending and enlarging his operations, he had 
attained a high position, had won for himself and his 
work an enviable reputation, and worked his busi- 
ness into a very prosperous and flourishing condition, 
when his prospects were suddenly blasted by the 
destruction of his entire works by fire in December, 
1852. He rebuilt, and was soon again in active ope- 
ration. Fortune smiled on his efforts ; but in De- 
cember of the next year, 1853, at the close of the 
most successful year he had ever known, fire again 
laid waste the whole scene of his operations. No- 
thing daunted, he took a careful survey of his position, 
and in a short time the thick smoke was seen again 
ascending from his chimneys, and the sharp click of 
busy manufacture was again heard in his rebuilt 
shops. Since then he has increased his area, until 
his buildings now cover 87,500 feet. The 'quality 
of the glass here manufactured is surpassed by that 



MANUFACTORIES. 215 

of no works in the country, and from time to time 
he has embraced all the improvements and inven- 
tions, many of them original, in its manufacture and 
moulding, which have been suggested. The work is 
all done in the establishment, from the making of 
the glass to the finishing of every article, even the 
construction of the moulds and other machinery 
used. Mr. Slane now employs two hundred men, 
and no more interesting sight offers itself in our 
ward than the various operations connected with 
glass-making in this establishment. — The Boston & 
New York Central Railroad passes near by it. 



Phoenix Glass Works. — Situated near Mr. Siane's 
buildings, are the works commenced in 1811, to 
which we have already referred, and for many years 
successfully conducted by Mr. Thomas Cains. These, 
too, have been several times destroyed by fire, and 
the rapidity and completeness with which new build- 
ings have sprung up from the ashes of the old ones, 
warrants the name which in consequence has recently 
been given them. The health of Mr. Cains has pre- 
vented his confining himself to the business of the 
concern for some years past, and his son and son-in- 
law have been connected with him. The death of 
the latter, Mr. William Johnston, the present year 
(1857), leaves it now in the hands of the Messrs. 
Cains, by whom it is extensively carried on. 



Mount Washingtofi Glass Works. — These works 
were for many years under the superintendence of 
the late Luther Russell. They are now conducted 
by Jarves & Cormerais. The buildings are situated 
on Second street, near Dorchester street, and a large 
number of hands are employed in them. 



216 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

The Brewery — On Second street, is now carried 
on by Jaraes L. Phipps & Co., who are doing a very 
large and profitable business. Indeed, the establish- 
ment is the largest in its operations of any in the 
New Eno:land States. 



Other Mayiufacturing Establishments. — Many 
other works are carried on in South Boston, but 
we can merely mention Brainard's Wagon Factory, 
famous for its Express wagons. Earl's Soap Factory, 
Howard's Brass Foundry, Cuba Iron Foundry, Frye's 
Carriage Shop, Downer's Soap Works, Suffolk Lead 
Works, Plough Factory, Stevens, Ingolls, & Co.'s 
Brass Foundry, P. A. Sylvester's Machine Shop, &c. 



CHAPTER XIX. 



MISCELLANEOUS. 

Banks. — South Boston has had four Banks locat- 
ed within its limits, only two of which arc now in 
operation. 

The Franklin and Lafayette, on what was then 
Turnpike street, both Mled in 1837. In 1836, the 
Mechanics Bank commenced business in the brick 
building at the north-easterly corner of A and Fifth 
streets. The Company soon after erected the build- 
ing they now occupy at the foot of Broadway. Sam- 
uel Goodridge was first President, and Alvan Si- 
monds Cashier. The Bank has been very successful, 
paying for the ten years, ending April, 1856, 8 per 
cent, per annum, which with two extra dividends 
paid at times of increase of capital, make 10 1-3 per 



MISCELLANEOUS. 217 

cent, per annum. The original capital of the Bank 
was $150,000, but it has been twice increased, and 
is now $250,000. J. W. Converse is President, and 
Alvan Simonds Cashier. 

The Broadway Bank commenced business ope- 
rations in December, 1853, in the free-stone building 
erected by the Company near the foot of Broadway. 
Seth Adams is President, and H. H. White Cashier. 



NeiDspapers. — Several unsuccessful attempts were 
made, some years since, to sustain a newspaper in 
South Boston. The Galaxy continued for a few 
months, and then died. In 1847, Mr. Albert J. 
Wright started the South Boston Gazette, and con- 
tinued it very successfully until September, 1855, 
when it passed into other hands and soon ceased to 
exist. Mr. Wright then started the Mercury, and 
continued it for a year, when that also was discon- 
tinued, and South Boston has now no local paper. 



Firemen. — There are in South Boston two Fire 
Companies — both provided with admirable machines, 
and manned by a gallant and courageous body of 
firemen, always ready for action. Mazeppa, No. ly 
is located near the head of Broadway,* Perkins, No» 
2, on Broadway near C street. 



Military. — The Pulaski Guards were chartered in 
March, 1836, and their first captain was Col. J. L. G 
Amee. Subsequently they changed their name to 
the " Mechanic Greys," but resumed the old name 
in May, 1841. They are now in a prosperous con- 
dition, under Capt. Joshua Jenkins as commander. 
19 



218 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

Wate?\ — South Boston enjoys the benefit of the Co- 
chituate water, in common with its neighbors of the city 
proper. The water is brought across the Old Bridge 
in an iron pipe, laid on a foundation of earth sup- 
ported at the sides by piles and planks, as far as the 
harbor line. It is thence supported across the pub- 
lic waters, as far as the draw and channel, in a wood- 
en box, resting on piles. It was originally intended 
that it should be protected from frost, by a filling of 
non-conducting materials, but this was afterwards 
abandoned. The pipe is carried in an inverted sy- 
phon 20 inches in diameter, with perpendicular ends^ 
under the water, and imbedded in the hard bottom 
of the channel. It is enclosed in a box or frame of 
timber, and completely enveloped with a covering of 
hydraulic cement. It is thence conducted to the 
reservoir on the hill, and then distributed to all 
parts of the place. 

The reservoir is placed on the east side of Tho- 
mas Park. The walls are formed of a puddled em- 
bankment, lined inside with granite rubble, and the 
bottom paved with pebble stones. It resembles in 
shape a segment of an ellipse, measuring across the 
widest part about three hundred and seventy feet^ 
and about two hundred and sixty across the narrow- 
est part. It contains 7,508,246 gallons. The top 
of the dam is 125.86 feet above tide marsh level^ 
and the bottom of the reservoir 105.35 feet. The 
occasion of the introduction of the water, Nov. 20th; 
1849, was made a gala day in South Boston. Thou- 
sands gathered upon the hill, where a salute was 
fired by the Mt. Washington Guards, singing by the 
children, and an eloquent address by His Honor, 
Mayor Bigelow. The appearance of the water, as 
it first jetted up, was the signal for one general 



MISCELLANEOUS. 219 

sliout of joy, in which the booming of cannon joined 
with tliundcr tones. 

Since then, tlic hill has been levelled and made 
into a magnificent Park, and called Thomas Park, 
in honor of General Thomas, of Revolutionary re- 
membrance. A beautiful drive around the whole is 
reached from G street. 



Gas. — South Boston is supplied with gas by a 
Company incorporated on the 13th of April, 1852. 
The gas was first used on December 16th, 1852. 
The works are situated on Seventh street, near the 
corner of B street. Pipes are laid in all the princi- 
pal streets, and many of our citizens avail themselves 
of the use of this brilliant light in their stores and 
dwellings- 

The following are the present officers of the Com- 
pany :— 

President — William T. Andrews. 

Directors — William T. Andrews, Francis Alger, 
John H. Blake, Thomas B. Wales, Edward J. Da- 
venport. 

Clerk — -Edward J. Davenport. 

Treasurer — Jeremy Drake. 

Agents — John H. Blake, Franklin Darracott. 

Superintendent — -Edward Jones. 



Hawes Free Evening School. — This Institution 
has been conducted every winter, for some years 
past, by a Committee, chosen by the citizens, 
in connection with the Trustees of Hawes Fund. 
Its expenses are paid out of money left by John 
Hawes for the support of schools in South Boston, 
and it has been the means of much profit to a class 
which could not otherwise be reached. 



220 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

Shade Tree Society. — On the evening of March 
23, 1853, a meeting of citizens was held for the pur- 
pose of organizing a Shade Tree Society. C. J. F. Al- 
len was chosen Chairman of the meeting, and Lewis 
Smith Secretary. Josiah Dunham, Jr., Chairman of 
a Committee appointed for that purpose, reported 
Rules and Regulations for the government of the 
Society. 

The following gentlemen were chosen officers of 
the Society, and as no subsequent meeting has since 
been held, they have retained their situations until 
the present time. 

President — Samuel Leeds. 

Vice Presidents — Isaac Adams and Samuel Hill. 

Directors — Frederic Nickerson, Samuel R. Spin- 
ney, Joshua Jenkins, George P. Blake, John P. 
Monks. 

Treasurer — Caleb Gill. 

Secretary — Lewis Smith. 
The receipts of the Society have been, 

From individual subscriptions $288 75 

From Trees sold and payment for setting 

out - 543 56 



$832 31 
The Expenditures have been. 

For 550 Trees purchased 520 04 

Labor and other expenses attending set- 
ting out trees 290 27 



810 31 



Leaving a balance on hand at the present 

time. May 18, 1857, of 22 00 

$832 31 



MISCELLANEOUS. 221 

The principal operations of the Society were made 
during the years 1853 and 1854, under the direction 
of the President, Samuel Leeds, Esq., to whom the 
public are mucli indebted for the impulse which has 
been given to this object. 

The benefit to South Boston by this organization 
cannot be estimated by the amount of money collect- 
ed and expended, or the number Of trees set out by 
it during its existence. Its operations have been 
the means of awakening an interest in the subject, 
and hundreds of trees have been set along the bor- 
ders of our streets by individuals, which will be of 
incalculable benefit to future generations. 

It is to be hoped that the day is not far distant 
when every street, as soon as graded, will be graced 
with flourishing and beautiful shade trees. 



The South Boston Samaritan Society. — In addi- 
tion to the charitable associations connected with 
the individual churches in South Boston, the society 
with the above name is general in its character, nei- 
ther its members nor its beneficiaries being confined 
to any religious denomination. The following brief 
sketch of its formation and operations will show 
what it has accomplished, during the fourteen years 
of its existence. 

October 19th, 1842, some of the ladies of South 
Boston met together at Brooks Hall, and formed a 
charitable association under the title of The South 
Boston Samaritan Society, for the relief of the suf- 
fering poor of this Ward, Mrs. Samuel Hill was the 
first President, which office she held for a number of 
years. 

This society, consisting of about 40 members at 
19* 



222 



HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 



its formation, increased in a few years to the num- 
ber of 230. 

In 1851, Mr. Elislia Goodenow, a beneficent resi- 
dent of South Boston, bequeathed to the Society the 
sum of $1000. Thereupon the Society petitioned 
the Legislature for an act of incorporation ; and a 
charter was granted, February 6, 1852. 

Gentlemen are admitted as life or honorary mem- 
bers, and the Society, though not quite as large as it 
was a few years since, is in a flourishing condition, 
dispensing sympathy and comfort to the destitute and 
wretched. The following table will give the read* 
er some idea of its proceedings. 





Eeckipts. 


EXPENDITURKS. 


In the year 1843 


$407 08 


$303 82 


1844 


395 28 


273 73 


1845 


185 87 


182 87 


1846 


unknown 


unknown 


1847 


126 73 


122 62 


1848 


162 26 


160 76 


1849 


123 11 


113 19 


1850 


95 01 


101 95 


1851 


141 50 


144 77 


1852 


129 82 


120 30 


1853 


99 69 


96 45 


1854 


94 37 


98 92 


1855 


287 57 


289 13 


1856 


252 94 


241 08 



Total $2,501 23 $2,249 59 

From the above table it will be seen that, during 
the first year of its existence, the Society received 
and expended more money than any year since. Of 
late, however, the interest seems to be revived, and 



MISCELLANEOUS. 22S 

in 185G, when the Society held its Fair in Lyceum 
Hall^ by the aid of a generous public the sum of $1125 
was realized. 



Masons and Odd Felloios. — There are two Ma- 
sonic Lodges in South Boston — St. Paul's, and Gate 
of the Temple. They both meet in Jenkins's Build- 
ing. 

Bethesda Lodge No. 30, L 0. of 0. F., meet at 
Fraternity Hall, 120 Broadway; also Mt. Washing- 
ton Encampment No. 6. 

Washington Chapter of the Order of United Ameri- 
cans meet at the same place. 



Lyceum Hall — Was built in 1846, by an incor- 
porated company, having a capital of $20,000, with 
a par value each share of 25 dollars. As but 
$12,000 were subscribed, no dividends were paid for 
several years, the profits being used to make up the 
remaining amount of capital. The main hall will ac- 
commodate about 600 persons, and the stores on the 
lower floor are large and well situated for business* 



City Institutions. — About the year 1822 the city 
purchased a large tract of land at the Point, and 
erected thereon a Poor House. In due time other 
Institutions followed, until there were built there 
the House of Industry, a brick building ; House of 
Reformation, a stone building ; a Lunatic Asylum, of 
brick; and a House of Correction, a little easterly 
of the Asylum. Many of the citizens of South Bos- 
ton felt regret that these City Buildings were within 
the limits of the Ward ; and after the purchase of 
Deer Island by the city, long and frequent were the 
struo-o-les of those anxious to move the whole of 



224 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON. 

these institutions to that place. Finally a House of 
Industry for the poor was built on that Island, the 
city paupers were removed into it, and the land in 
South Boston which was cultivated by them was laid 
out into streets. The Lunatic Hospital, which was 
first opened in December, 1839, now under charge 
of Dr. Walker ; and the House of Correction with 
its extensive shops, under the superintendence of 
Capt. Bobbins, still remain in South Boston. 

Omnibuses. — The first public conveyance from the 
city proper to South Boston was ovmcd by Ephraim 
Dodge. As early as 1829, he commenced running a 
hack, taking passengers from the city to any part of 
the place in which they desired to be left. Broad- 
way not then being in good condition for wheels, his 
route lay over the old bridge and up Fourth street. 
His first attempt to use the main street was frus- 
trated by the sinking of his carriage to the hubs of 
the wheels in the soft clay. The patronage he re- 
ceived soon warranted him in purchasing two omni- 
buses, which run to and from the city once every 
hour. The fare on this line of coaches was nine- 
pence. 

In 1838, the Warren Association having opened 
the Mount Washington Hotel, commenced running a 
coach from the Old State House to the hotel, charg- 
ing twenty-five cents. The Company soon, however, 
reduced the fare to six cents, and placed another 
coach upon their line, which movement obliged the 
enterprising pioneer in the business, Mr. Dodge, to 
discontinue his coaches. The Association, after run- 
ning the line something less than two years, sold out 
to Samuel D. Blood, who added two omnibuses and 
carried on the concern until 1842, when he sold out 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



2^5 



to the present proprietor, Jonas C. Gipson. Soon 
after, Mr. G. associated with himself Horace ITara- 
rnond, and they have since constantly added to their 
stock, until now they own twenty coaches, employ 
some forty men, and keep one hundred and five 
horses. Trips are run every five minutes from the 
office near I st. to Cornhill. This " White Line," so 
called from the coaches all being painted white, fully 
accommodates the public, to whom, under its judicious 
management, it has become a cherished institution of 
the place. The fare, which has varied at different 
times, is now six cents for a single passage, the old 
ticket system having been discarded. 



Dorchester Avenue Railroad Company. — As the 
horse-cars upon this railway enter the city through 
South Boston, it is proper to speak of it here. The 
Company was incorporated in April, 1854. Its capi- 
tal stock is limited to $300,000, and is divided into 
shares of $50 each. Its act of incorporation allows 
a double or single track to be laid from the Lower 
Mills in Dorchester, near Milton, to the foot of State 
street in Boston. A single track is now laid from 
the last named place over the Federal street Bridge 
and through South Boston, extending a large part of 
the way to the contemplated southern terminus, and 
cars pass regularly over it. The Mayor and Alder- 
men of Boston have power to designate the streets 
in South Boston which shall be used for the purpose, 
and are also permitted to purchase the whole pro- 
perty in South Boston in ten years after the road is 
opened, by paying at a specified rate. Not more 
than 5 cents fare is allowed to be taken for a pas- 
sage between any two stations in Boston, without 
permission of the Mayor and Aldermen. 



226 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON. 

Broadivay Railroad Company. — hi April, 1854, 
a Company under this name was incorporated, with 
power to construct a railway, with single or double 
tracks, from South Boston Point to Dorchester Av- 
enue, where it was to form a junction with and enter 
upon the Dorchester Avenue Railroad, then incorpo- 
rated but not constructed. Horse-power only was 
allowed to be used on the road. The capital stock 
of the Company was to be $150,000, in shares of 
$50 each. The City of Boston was to have the pri- 
vilege of purchasing of the Company all its rights, 
property, &c., in the road, at the end of ten years 
after its opening, on certain conditions, and the ex- 
istence of the corporation was limited to fifty years. 
Not more than five cents for each passage was to be 
taken for fare, without the consent of the Mayor and 
Aldermen of the city. In June, 1856, the road not 
having been commenced, the above act was revived, 
to continue in force for three years more. Iq the 
spring of 1857, it was so far changed as to give the 
Company liberty to enter the city by passing over 
the Dover street Brids^e and Mount Washins-ton 
Avenue, by first obtaining the consent of the Mayor 
and Aldermen. The prospects are now favorable 
for a speedy commencement of the railway. 



Washinsrton Villasre. — Little Neck was the name 
of a small village situated at Dorchester Neck, on 
the old Causeway road, and occupying the knoll 
where the first settlers had the cattle gate. When 
Mattapannock became South Boston, this village re- 
mained on the Dorchester side of the line. It was 
so near South Boston, however, that its interests 
were closely identified with it, and it seemed in fact to 
be a part and parcel of the Ward. A brick school- 



MISCELLANEOUS. 227 

house was built here by the town of Dorchester, and 
the village was becoming more and more populous. 
On the 4th of March, 1850, the inhabitants of Little 
Neck, in meeting assembled, voted to change the 
name of the place to Washington Village. Several 
attempts were made to have it annexed to Boston^ 
and this was finally done. On petition of Joshua 
Jenkins, and others, in May, 1855, Washington Vil- 
lage, with its 1300 inhabitants, and the territory as 
far as the line of Capt. William Clapp's orchard-wall 
in Dorchester, was annexed to South Boston, thereby 
greatly increasing the extent of the territory of the 
Ward, (See Appendix J.) 



Bay View. — This is the name given to a neat and 
growing village, situated at old Powow Point, on the 
southerly shore, bordering on South Boston Bay. 
It has a large number of very fine dwelling-houses, 
and its citizens are noted for their neighborly feel- 
ing and the endeavors they make for each others' 
benefit. A fine wide avenue (K street), lighted with 
gas, leads to it from Fourth street. The dwelling-house 
of the Rev. Lemuel Capen is here beautifully situa- 
ted, near the water, and with its out-buildings and 
surrounding grounds has the appearance of the bet- 
ter class of country farm-houses. Much credit is due 
to Samuel R. Spinney, Esq., who has a splendid man- 
sion in the village, and who is foremost with money 
and personal effort in sustaining its interests. 

Several of the omnibuses, which pass regularly to 
and from the city, go to this place, and also to City 
Point. The cut of the Lawrence School House, on 
a previous page, represents one of the Bay View 
coaches passing down B street. 



228 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 



CHAPTER XX. 

EARLY INHABITANTS — STATISTICS OF POPULATION, ETC. 
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT. 

Of the character of the native inhabitants of Mat- 
tapannock we know but little. There is no doubt, 
however, that our peninsula was formerly a favorite 
haunt of tlie Indian. Powow Point, situated near 
the south end of what is now K street, and facing 
Thompson's Island, is highly celebrated in the histo- 
ry of our Aborigines. Here the Indians, till within 
a few years, were in the habit of holding an annual 
feast. This gathering was in commemoration of a 
celebrated Indian treaty which was of great impor- 
tance to the first settlers, and called together multi- 
tudes of red-men of the forest. It is said that dur- 
ing this feast nothing was to be used except what 
came from the sea. Even the water was literally 
taken from the ocean, and drank from clam-shells. 
Near the centre of Powow Point is a spring of 
fresh water, which at high tide is completely covered 
by the sea. From this source the Indians procured 
water for common use. This Point is now owned 
by Rev. Lemuel Capen, and in its vicinity are to be 
found vast quantities of clam-shells, and occasionally 
Indian relics have been discovered. Doubtless if 
excavations were made in the neighborhood, many 
aboriginal memorials would be brought to light. 

A few years previous to the settlement of Dor- 
chester, the Indians were visited by a dreadful pes- 
tilence, which swept off thousands of them. From a 
tradition furnished by John Thomas, an Indian who 
lived to a great age, and who died some years since 



POPULATION, ETC. 229 

at Pramingham, wc learn that at Dorchester Neck 
so many Indians died that they remained unburied, 
and the few surviving Indians removed to other 
places. The Indians supposed that this scourge was 
sent upon them because of their cruel treatment of 
five Frenchmen who were wrecked on the coast and 
fell into their hands. 

The population of Mattapannock, from the time of 
its first settlement till its annexation to Boston, was 
small. At the time of its annexation, it consisted of 
12 families, or about GO persons. These were 
mostly farmers, and spent their time in cultivating 
the land they possessed on the peninsula. 

In 1810, this number had increased to 354 — or 
500 per cent, in six years — which showed pretty 
clearly the impulse which annexation had given to 
the growth of the place. In 1825, we find the popu- 
lation to have been 1,986 — being a gain of 461 per 
cent, in fifteen years. In 1835, the number was 
5,595 — an increase of 181 per cent, in ten years. In 
1840, the number was 6,176 — a growth of only about 
10 per cent, for the five years. In 1845, the gain 
was greater, the number of inhabitants being 10,020, 
or 62 per cent, increase. In 1850, the census show- 
ed the population of the ward to be 13,309 — that of 
the whole city being 138,788. The increase in the 
former during these five years was nearly 33 per 
cent. In 1855, the population of South Boston, ex- 
clusive of Washington Village, which had just been 
annexed, was 16,612 — making the gain for these five, 
years about 25 per cent. The population of the an- 
nexed territory being 1,319, the total number in 
the ward was, in 1855, 17,931 — making it the thira 
ward in the city in point of numbers. By the cen- 
20 



230 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON, 

8US, that year, the total population of the city was 
162,748. 

In the year 1838, when South Boston became a 
ward by itself, the number of voters was 712; in 
1840, 853; in 1843, 1,124; in 1844, 1,382; in 1845, 
1,421; in 1855, exclusive of Washington Village, 
2,116. It will be seen that the voters did not in- 
crease in proportion to the population. This was 
mainly owing to the number of foreigners among 
the new comers into the ward. The proportion of 
voters was more favorable, however, in South Bos- 
ton, than in the city at large. The population of 
the city in 1845 was 114,326; in 1855, 162,748— a 
gain of 42.20 per cent. In the former year the num- 
ber of voters in the city was 20,351; in the latter^ 
23,342 — a gain of only 14.69 per cent. In South 
Boston, during the same period, the increase of 
population was 65.78 per cent. ; that of voters, 41.16 
per cent. 

In 1840, the number of dwelling-houses in South 
Boston, according to Mr. Shattuck's Census Report, 
was 719; in 1845, 1,105 (82 of brick); in 1855, by 
the Census Report of that year, 1,978, being a larger 
number than in any other ward in the city. The 
number in all the wards of the city, in 1855, was 
15,880. In 1845, Mr. Shattuck states that the num- 
ber of houses in Ward 12 owned by the occupants 
was 403 — no other ward, except 11, equalling it in 
this respect. He also states that the number of 
houses in South Boston having cisterns, that year, 
was 692 — more than in any other ward. In the 
same year, the number of families in South Boston 
was 1,654— in the whole city, 19,175; number of 
families to each house, 1.56 — in the whole city, 1.87; 
number of persons to a house, 9.47- — in the whole 



231 

city, 10.57; number of persons to a family, 6.05 — in 
the whole city, 5.96. In 1855, according to Mr. 
George Adams's Census Report, the whole number 
of families in South Boston was 3,107 — in the whole 
city, 29,810; average number of families to one 
house, 1.57 — -in the whole city, 1.87; average num- 
ber of persons to one house, 8.39 — in the whole city, 
10.16; average number of persons to each family, 
5.34 — in the whole city, 5.41. 

The rise in the value of real estate in South Bos- 
ton, has been, very naturally, since the erection of 
the North Free Bridge in 1828, much greater than 
the growth of the population, or the increase in the 
number of voters or of buildings. On page 78 of 
this work, will be found the valuation of real estate, 
taxes, &c. in the year 1804. From that time till 
the bridge was completed, but little advance seems 
to have taken place ; but after that event, it was 
soon pretty well understood that the land in South 
Boston would some time really be used for house- 
lots, and it began to be valued accordingly. From 
1835 to 1845, the increase in the population, as 
already stated, was 4,425, or about 79 per cent. ; 
while the increase in the value of real estate, ac- 
cording to the following table, was more than 450 per 
cent.! From 1845 to 1855, the gain in population 
was 42.30 per cent. ; increase of voters, 14.69 per 
cent. ; that of dwelling-houses, 79 per cent. — while 
the rise in the value of real estate amounted to more 
than 116 per cent. The growing manufacturing 
establishments in the ward, and an increased pro- 
portion of the better class of dwelling4iou3es, of 
course assisted in swelling the valuation of real 
estate. The table here given will be found interest- 
ing for present comparison, and convenient for future 
reference. 



232 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 





Real 


Personal 


Total 






Years. 


Estate. 


Estate. 


Valuation. 


Polls. 


Tax. 


1835 


$ 506,200 


$115,500 


$ 621,700 


734 


$ 7,131 49 


1810 


753,400 


155,500 


908,900 


1,027 


11,583 40 


1844 


1,777,200 


505,605 


2,282,800 


1,719 


16,275 30 


1845 


2,900,000 


567,800 


3,467,800 


1,796 


22,460 46 


1846 


3,676,000 


651,500 


4,327,500 


1,972 


28,921 00 


1847 


4,229,000 


718,200 


4,947,200 


2,123 


32,867 70 


1848 


4,442,400 


762,600 


5,205,000 


2,289 


37,266 50 


1849 


4,809,000 


790,400 


5,599,400 


2,233 


39,745 60 


1850 


4,542,000 


836,000 


5,378,000 


2,160 


39,810 40 


1851 


4,423,000 


866,000 


5,289,000 


2,293 


40,462 50 


1852 


4,322,900 


868,600 


5,191,500 


2,349 


36,749 10 


1853 


4,577,300 


1,031,300 


5,608,600 


2,465 


46,322 86 


1854 


5,758,900 


1,488,900 


7,247,800 


2,551 


70,506 26 


1855 


6,280,600 


1,695,000 


7,975,600 


2,592 


65,300 12 


1856 


7,409,100 


1,864,100 


9,273,200 


3,062 


78,778 60 



The birtlis and deaths in South Boston, for a few 
years past, have been as follows — the total number 
of each in the whole city being also given. 



Total Total 

Births in Births in Deaths in Deaths in 



Tear. 


Boston. 


S. Boston. 


Boston. 


S. Boston. 


1850 


5,279 


487 


3,667 


281 except City Institutions. 


1851 


5,388 


553 


3,855 


313 " 


1852 


5.308 


544 


3,736 


322 " 


1853 


5,596 


573 


4,284 


371 " 


1854 


5,688 


621 


4,441 


425 " 


1855 


5,816 


691 


4,080 


526 includ'g City Institutions. 


1856 


5,922 


838 


4,253 


465 " 



During the year 1850, the deaths in South Boston 
were as 1 to 47 of its v/hole population — those in 
the whole city that year being 1 to 38. In the year 

1855, however, the proportion was not so favorable, 
being about 1 to 38 in South Boston, after deducting 
the 59 deaths in the city institutions. In the inter- 
mediate years, it varied between the two rates. In 

1856, Mr. Apollonio, the City Registrar, estimated 
the population of South Boston at 11.01 per cent, of 
the population of the whole city, the deaths during 
the year being 10.93 per cent, of the total deaths in 



MUNICIPAL ORGANIZATION. 233 

tlie city. During the same year the deaths from 
consumption were proportionally smaller in Ward 12 
than in any other ward — being 13.54 per cent, of 
the total deaths in the ward. Ward 8 had the 
largest number of deaths by this disease — viz. 21.34 
per cent, of all the deaths in its limits. 

Scarlet fever prevailed extensively as an epidemic 
throughout the city in 1856, carrying off no less than 
362 children — -being 8.51 per cent, of all the deaths. 
South Boston suffered with the other wards, but not 
quite its full proportion — -the deaths by this disease 
being 33 in Ward 12, or about 9 per cent, of the 
total number in all the wards. The number in Ward 
1 was no less than 68 — but in Ward 4, only 8. 

Municipal Organization. 

Previous to 1804, the peninsula called Dorchester 
Neck, constituting a part of Dorchester, wxis un- 
der the care and government of the authorities of 
that town. Those who resided on the Neck enjoyed 
all the privileges and immunities of the inhabitants 
of Dorchester proper, and were taxed according to 
the same rates. 

In 1804, however, as before remarked, by an act 
of the Legislature, Dorchester Neck was made a 
part of Boston, and became subject to the rules and 
regulations of that town. The town was divided 
into twelve Wards, the twelfth consisting of not 
only South Boston, but also " all south side of Eliot 
to Orange street; east side of Orange street to 
Beach street; the south side of Beach street to 
Front street and the water, to the southern limits of 
the town." 

In 1822, the town of Boston became a city, and 
the boundaries of the different Wards were then 
20* 



234 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON. 

changed. Ward Twelve now consisted of " South 
Boston, the southerly side of Pine, across Washing- 
ton street to Warren street, the westerly side of 
Warren to Eliot street, the southerly side of Eliot, 
across Pleasant street, to Charles River, and all 
southerly of the above." On the 10th of December; 
1838, the city proper had so increased in population, 
and South Boston had become so thickly settled, 
that it was deemed advisable to make the peninsula 
a separate Ward. Accordingly, since that time our 
citizens have voted as inhabitants of Ward XII. 

The government of the whole city consists of a 
Mayor, twelve Aldermen, and forty-eight Common 
Councilmen, composing two Boards, which together 
are denominated the City Council. The Legislative 
power is vested in the Common Council, and the Ex- 
ecutive power in the Mayor and Aldermen. Four 
members of the Common Council are elected by the 
voters of Ward 12, and are citizens of South Boston. 
In former years, when only eight Aldermen were 
chosen, it was customary to have one from South 
Boston, and it is now required by the Revised Char- 
ter of 1854, that one shall represent each ward. 

The following gentlemen have represented South 
Boston in the Board of Aldermen. 

Cyrus Alger, 1824, 1827. 

Adam Bent, 1831. 

Josiah Dunham, 1834, 1835, 1836. 

Thomas Richardson, 1837, 1838, 1839. 

Larra Crane, 1842, 1844. 

Samuel S. Perkins, 1845, 1849, 1850. 

Thomas Jones, 1846, 1847. 

Benjamin James, 1852, 1853, 1857. 

Josiah Dunham, Jr., 1854, 1855. 

Eben Jackson, 1856. 



MUNICIPAL ORGANIZATION. 235 

In the Common Council, the following gentlemen 
have been the representatives of the citizens of 
Ward XII. 

Cyrus Alger, 1822. 

Noah Brooks, 1823. 

Isaac Thom, 1824. 

Adam Bent, 1825, 1826, 1827. 

William Wright, 1827. 

Thomas Melville Vinson, 1830, 1831, 

James Wright, 1830. 

Ebenezer Hayward, 1832. 

Joseph Harris, Jr., 1832, 1833, 1834. 

Josiah Dunham, 1833. 

Josiah Lee Currell Amee, 1834, 1839, 1840, 
^ Dr. John Bliss Stebbins, 1836. 

William B. Dorr, 1835. 

Alpheus Stetson, 1836. 

Solon Jenkins, 1836, 1837, 1846. 

Josiah Dunham, Jr., 1837, 1849, 1850, 185L 

Jeremy Drake, 1838, 1842, 1843, 1844, 

Nehemiah P. Mann, 1838. 

Nicholas Noyes, 1839. 

George Page, 1839, 1840. 

Horatio N. Crane, 1839, 1840, 

Eben Jackson, 1840, 1843. 

Samuel Leeds, 1841. 

William H. Howard, 1841. 

Seriah Stevens, 1841. 

William B. Harding, 1841, 

Willis Howes, 1842. 

John Tillson, 1842, 1843, 

Caleb Thurston, 1842. 

Romanus Emerson, 1843, 

Asa Brown, 1844. 

Henry W. Fletcher, 1844. 



236 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON. 

Isaac Jones, 1844. 

Samuel C. Demerest, 1845. 

Thomas Jones, 1845. 

Samuel W. Sloan, 1845. 

Theophilus Stover, 1845. 

William Eaton, 1846, 1847. 

Seth Adams, 1846. 

John W. Crafts, 1846. 

Jabez Coney, 1847, 1850. 

Samuel S. Perkins, 1847, 1848. 

Alvan Simonds, 1847, 1848. 

Benjamin James, 1848, 1849. 

Joseph Smith, 1848, 1849, 1850, 1851. 

Samuel D. Crane, 1849, 1850, 1851, 

Zibeon Southard, 1851, 1852. 

John Proctor, 1852. 

George N. Noyes, 1852. 

Samuel R. Spinney, 1852. 

C. C, Conley, 1853, 1854. 

Joshua Jenkins, 1853, 1854. 

William S. Thacher, 1853, 

James F. Whittemore, 1853, 1854. 

E. H. Brainard, 1854, 1855. 
George S. Dexter, 1855. 
Daniel Hall, 1855. 
Jedediah P. Bean, 1855. 
Ezra Harlow, 1856. 

F. M. Josselyn, Jr., 1856, 1857. 
Lewis C. Whiton, 1856, 1857. 
Sumner Crosby, 1856. 

Henry Mason, 1857. 

D.W.Bailey, 1857. 
In 1828j the inhabitants of South Boston, and the 
citizens of Ward 12 on the other side of the water, 
disagreed as to the list of officers nominated for 



POLICE FIRE ALARM. 



237 



election, and accordingly those of the city proper 
nominated all Boston men, while those of Dorchester 
Neck nominated South Boston men. The city folks 
proved the most nmnerous, and elected their officers 
except one School Committee man. A meeting was 
appointed at twelve o'clock, to fill the vacancy. The 
Soutli Bostonians thought it rather hard not to have 
any voice in the government, and determined to elect 
their candidate. At tAvelve o'clock, therefore, they 
went over to the Ward Room in the city in a body, 
cast their votes, and then adjourned the meeting be- 
fore the city voters had time to see through the 
plan. Of course the South Boston man was elected. 

The Police, and the Fire Alarm Telegraph. 

The Police Department of South Boston forms a 
section of the City Police, and has for its officers, — 
Robert Taylor, Captain ; George Smith and James D. 
Russell, Lieutenants. The complement of men is 
usually about 25. 

In 1824, the first watch, consisting of two men, 
Messrs. Crowley and Bickford, were stationed at 
South Boston. They were, however, on duty but 
from 11 to 1 o'clock in summer, and from 10 till 2 
o'clock in winter. In 1830, Jeptha R. Cowdin and 
Jacob Herrick succeeded, and Mr. Herrick is still 
connected with the Department. 

The Police Station for South Boston is called 
Station 6, and is in the same building with the 
Perkins Engine, on Broadway, between B and C 
Streets. 

There are six signal stations for fire alarms in 
South Boston, which constitutes District 6 of the 
city Telegraphic Alarm, and the wires are connected 
with the principal bells in the ward. 



238 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON. 

CHAPTER XXL 

DISTINGUISHED CITIZENS, 

John Hawes. 

Most of the citizens of South Boston have heard 
of John Hawes; yet few know of his history. 
The following sketch of him, taken from a funeral 
sermon preached on the occasion of his death, by 
Rev. Lemuel Capen, will be found interesting, and 
contains all of interest concerning him, probably, 
that can now be gathered : — 

" Mr. Hawes was born in Dorchester, December 
29, 1740, of the Old Style, answering to January 9, 
1741, of the New; making him 88 years old on the 
9th of the month before he died. He was the third of 
a numerous family, and whilst a child, his father re- 
moved to Sharon. At the age of seven years, he 
was placed, to be brought up, with his maternal 
grandfather, Benjamin Bird, Esq., of this place, then 
Dorchester Neck, from whom he received the rudi- 
ments of a very limited education, such as was com- 
mon at that time. I cannot positively say, that he 
never attended a public school; but probably he 
never did. From what he used to relate of his 
grandfather, and the high estimation in which he 
ever held him, he derived from him also, I doubt not, 
the principles of that strong, inflexible character 
which he retained to the last. Here he spent most 
of his minority, till the time, or near the time, of his 
grandfather's decease. And after a few years at 
Dorchester, in learning a trade, he returned, at the 
death of his uncle, Mr. Jonathan Bird, to take charge 



JOHN HAWES. 239 

of the patrimonial estate, where he had been brought 
up. When he again left this place of his early at- 
tachments, he returned to Dorchester, where he 
lived many years in agricultural pursuits, an indus- 
trious citizen, and was for about forty-five years an 
exemplary member of the church in that place. 

At rather an advanced age he married Mrs. Sarah 
Clap, widow of Mr. Elisha Clap, and daughter of Mr, 
Thomas Bird, for whom he had, very early, cherished 
a strong attachment — an attachment not easily to be 
broken ; for he appears to have resolutely determin- 
ed not to marry any other. His sincere and fixed 
regard for his consort was sufficiently evinced by 
the provision made for her in his last will, about fif- 
teen years before his death. To her he devised the 
improvement of all his extensive real estate ; and 
the whole income of his personal estate; to be 
at her entire disposal, during life. He survived her, 
however, over six years. The last twenty-five years 
of his life he spent in this place. Having no chil- 
dren, his strong attachments to these scenes of his 
childhood and youth, and the place where he had spent 
so large a portion of his mature and active life, in- 
duced him, no doubt, to appropriate the residue of 
his estate to the use of the inhabitants of South Bos- 
ton, after devising a competent portion of it to his 
nearest relatives, and those of his consort and other 
friends. The provision made by him for the pur- 
poses of education, and especially for erecting a 
house for religious worship, and for the support of 
the gospel ministry, seems to justify the application 
of what is related of the good centurion, in our con- 
text — ' He loveth our nation, and he hath built us a 
synagogue.' 

At the first view, it may seem perhaps that but 



240 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

little, worthy of special notice, can be gathered from 
tlie life of a retired individual — one who through all 
his days had kept so much by himself, employed in 
the quiet pursuits of husbandry ; a man without edu- 
cation, and who had occupied so small a space in 
public life. But on a closer and more accurate in- 
spection, we may find in him much that is worthy of 
the imitation, not only of those in his own walks of 
life, but of those also who have the management of 
public concerns ; to whom are committed the higher 
trusts in the community. I have said he was with- 
out education. And truly, of the knowledge derived 
from books and learned instructors, he could boast 
but very little. Still, in the no less important con- 
cern of self-education he was peculiarly distinguished. 
But few men probably can be found, who have profit- 
ed more by observation and reflection, or have trea- 
sured up more maxims of practical wisdom for the 
discipline of their minds and the regulation of their 
conduct. In his person, manners, and general prin- 
ciples of action, he exhibited a fair specimen of the 
days long gone by. His tall figure, his thoughtful 
and sedate visage, his dress, his equipage — every 
thing about him bespoke him a representative of the 
earlier days of the last century. He was indeed 
among the last of those venerable men, so frequently 
lo be met with in the records of the past. After 
that ancient model of ^' simplicity and godly sinceri- 
ty," which distinguished the first settlers of Dor- 
chester, of whom he was a lineal descendant, he had 
formed his character ; and all the lines of it were 
too deep and strong to yield, in the least, to the in- 
fluence of modern refinement. Possibly he would 
have been considered rather an eccentric character 
in any age. But I am inclined to attribute this in- 



JOHN HAWES. 241 

dicatioii to an unusual degree of independence, and 
fixedness of principle, which led him to rely upon 
the resources of his own mind rather than the opin- 
ion or example of others; and strengthened the hold 
of his early impressions and associations. As usual 
with strong uncultivated minds, this trait in his 
character partook, in a considerable degree, of obsti- 
nacy. He formed his opinions and took his mea- 
sures with great care and deliberation ; and it must 
be confessed, for the most part, with much discretion 
and good judgment. But when he had taken his 
ground, neither flattery nor persuasion, neither elo- 
quence nor argument, could divert his mind, or turn 
him from his purpose. For one who had mingled so 
little with society, and whose reading was limited 
almost exclusively to his Bible, his knowledge of the 
principles of human conduct was remarkably accu- 
rate. He was possessed of a native acuteness and 
discrimination, which enabled him readily to discern 
the characters of those with whom he had inter- 
course. So limited was his personal acquaintance 
with men and manners, that I hardly know how to 
account for it, but his knowledge of character seem- 
ed almost intuitive. It did not appear to be the re- 
sult of suspicion or distrust ; for he was remarkably 
confiding, where he felt that confidence would not 
be misplaced. Open and ingenuous — entirely above 
disguise and ' cunning craftiness ' himself, nothing 
was more certain to meet his cordial disapprobation, 
than a disposition in others to overreach and in- 
trigue. In addition to the natural strength of his 
intellect, he had much ready wit; and his society 
was often rendered peculiarly agreeable by his 
quaint humor, and his pithy and forcible remarks. 
Mr. Hawes possessed a mind rich in native re- 
21 



242 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

sources, which, if it had enjoyed the benefit of early 
and extensive culture, would have been brilliant as 
well as accurate and strong ; — a mind that might 
have enlightened, directed and controlled society. 

His disposition was kind and pacific. His constant 
wish and prayer was, ^ to live in love, and die in 
peace.' He wished to enjoy unmolested his own, 
and all his own. But I do not believe he knew, by 
experience, what it was to envy or repine at the 
good fortune of others. 

Not only the kindness of his disposition, but his 
strength of religious principle, was evinced by his 
humble and devout gratitude to God for the pros- 
perity he enjoyed ; and by the pleasure he experi- 
enced in seeing the prosperity and happiness of 
others. When sitting or walking alone, he appeared 
to be much engaged in devotion; for his grateful 
ejaculations were sometimes overheard. Of his 
moral integrity — that quality which is worth all 
others, piety to God only excepted, and without 
which even piety to God is but a name — it would 
be difi&cult to speak in terms too strong. As well 
as we all know that the love of money was his pre- 
vailing worldly passion, I do not believe that money 
would have tempted him, in any case, to be know- 
ingly guilty of a dishonest or dishonorable deed. 
In his temper he was rather quick and violent. But 
the facility with which his mind regained its wonted 
composure and serenity, was sufficient proof of the 
good discipline to which he had subjected it; for he 
suff'ered not ' the sun to go down upon his wrath.' 

He was naturally retiring and unobtrusive. He 
sought neither influence, favor nor promotion, from 
any quarter ; nor was he disposed to obstruct the 
influence, favor or promotion of any, but kept on 



JOHN HAWES. 243 

the even tenor of his way, ' and turned not to the 
right liand nor to the left.' He carefully and assidu- 
ously attended to his own concerns, without busying 
himself at all with those of others. Still he was 
neither morose in his temper, nor nnsocial in his 
manners. He was always afiable, in his plain, una- 
dorned way; and till reduced by his last sickness^' 
which was merely the gradual infirmity of age, he 
retained in a high degree the use of his faculties and 
enjoyed the society and conversation of his friends. 
With his many excellent points, some may imagine; 
perhaps, that he might have been a much more es- 
timable character, if he had been the generous, pub- 
lic-spirited benefactor of society while living. A 
moment's reflection, however, will convince us, that 
this was, in the nature of things, impossible. As he 
commenced life in extreme poverty, if he had been, 
from the beginning, of a generous turn, he must al- 
ways have remained poor. He never could have 
accumulated enough to make himself a charitable 
benefactor. We must consider, that his character was 
formed, and the foundation of his fortune laid, at a 
period in the history of our country, when great 
fortunes were not made in a day ; and comparatively 
but few could possess the means of being extensively 
liberal with their property; when habits of the 
strictest economy and frugality were absolutely es- 
sential to every one's success in business. And be- 
sides, his wealth was never so great as to warrant 
a profuse and indiscriminate charity, in view of those 
extraordinary emergencies to which all are liable. 
But, though it was not to be expected, that in his 
circumstances, with his fixed habits of economy and 
frugality, he would come forward with liberal con- 
tributions to objects of general benevolence ; still 



244 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON. 

he was not insensible to the claims of actual want. 
He did not indeed ' sound a trumpet ' before him, or 
after him, to proclaim what he gave. But there are 
those, who, if it were necessary, might speak of his 
living charities, and refer to the records of his gene- 
rous deeds. He was, moreover, truly hospitable to 
all, as opportunity offered ; — to strangers as well as 
to friends, with such things as himself partook. It 
was a hospitality suited to the plainness and sim- 
plicity of former times ; but evidently prompted by 
kind and generous feelings." 

Joseph Woodward. 

For more than thirty years the name of Joseph 
Woodward was so identified with the interests of 
South Boston, and his active energies so constantly 
employed to forward them, that his life and charac- 
ter are entitled to special notice. And besides, his 
character was peculiar and strongly marked. In it 
opposite extremes met, and acted in turn with great 
power. From his fiery and impulsive temper, when 
it was up, there was no escape. No matter when or 
where, his passion poured forth without measure and 
without stint. It came boiling hot and boiling over, 
without one cooling drop. This was a sad offset to 
his great good qualities, and brought against him the 
prejudice and dislike of those who did not know him 
well enough to value his better nature. His anger, 
if left to itself, soon cooled, and left him one of the 
kindest and most obliging of men. The exercise of 
his good feelings and benevolent disposition was 
alike free and unstinted. Friendl}^, hospitable, and 
public spirited, his best efforts were always ready 
to be put forth; and he could not do too much, nor 
hazard too much, for an object, that had enlisted the 
quenchless ardor of his nature. 



JOSEPH WOODWARD. 245 

Mr. Woodward's life was varied and eventful. 
He was born at Hing-liam, Mass., on the 15tli day of 
November, 1758. This was soon after the departure 
of his father, Daniel Woodward, a sea-captain of that 
place, on his last voyage — a voyage on which he 
met an. untimely fate, by the treachery and violence 
of the savages on the North West Coast of America. 
It was heart-rending news to the widowed mother, 
who with an older child, a daughter, was left in pov- 
erty to bewail her loss. She did not lack the warm 
sympathy of her neighbors and friends ; and the oc- 
casion was a most affecting one, when shortly after 
the tidings of his father's death, the unconscious 
babe, the subject of this notice, was publicly present- 
ed for baptism. 

Most of the years of Mr. Woodward's childhood 
were spent at Sherborn, with his maternal grand- 
father, Mr. Joy. There he was well cared for ; still 
the society of indulgent grandparents, and of the 
older boys, his uncles, furnished not the discipline 
which his irritable and violent temper especially 
needed. And great allowance should be made for 
him, that he was not, at that forming period, under 
the constant and careful watch of discreet parents. 

When old enough to earn his living, he was put to 
live with Dr. Chauncy, the eminent and venerable 
minister of the First Church in Boston. 

This, Mr. Woodward considered the most fortu- 
nate occurrence of his life. The discernment of Dr. 
Chauncy soon discovered his good points — the ac- 
tivity and force of his mind, and the open frankness 
and kindness of his disposition — and brought them into 
exercise. And no doubt he did what could then be 
done to check the violence of his temper. To the 
last he cherished the highest esteem and reverence 
21^ 



246 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

for Dr. Chaimcy. Ho regarded him as a father, and 
attributed all that was good in his own character to 
his influence. 

In due time, he left Dr. Chauncy, to learn the trade 
of a silversmith. He did not, however, continue 
long in that business after he was free. Trade had 
begun to flourish under the new form of government, 
and mercantile business seemed more congenial to 
the activity of his mind. For several years he was 
partner in business with the venerable T. K. Jones, 
late of Roxbury, but doing business in Boston, and 
their friendship continued till death. At this period 
of his life, Mr. Woodward visited Europe, once or 
more, and used to give a very interesting account of 
what he saw in the old world. His friend, Dr. Chaun- 
cy, gave him letters to gentlemen with whom he cor- 
responded in England, particularly the noted divine. 
Dr. Price, with whom he became well acquainted. 

But we need not follow Mr. Woodward through 
the fluctuations of business. Like others he was 
sometimes successful, sometimes not. In early life 
he married Jane Vincent, and had a family of four 
sons and three daughters, several of whom died be- 
fore him, and only one now survives. After residing 
several years in Boston, he removed to Quincy, then 
a parish of Braintree, and occupied a farm which he 
bought of Dr. Chauncy. The same was since, for 
many years, the residence of the late Hon. Thomas 
Greenleaf He afterwards purchased a farm in 
Tewksbury, where he lived till he removed to South 
Boston in June, 1804. At that time, as he used to 
say, there were only seven houses and sixty-three 
inhabitants, on the original peninsula called Dor- 
chester Neck. In the autumn of 1 803, Mr. Wood- 
ward came to Boston, went down to Wheeler's 



JOSEPH WOODWARD. 247 

Point, at the foot of South street, mused on the pros- 
pect before him, and became convinced that Boston 
must soon spread in that direction. 

Shortly after this, and without disclosing his pro- 
ject to a single soul, he bought of the late Abraham 
Gould, of this place, a tract of thirty acres of land, 
extending from the water on the north, along the 
west line of Dorchester street nearly to the Catholic 
chapel. This was done solely with the intent of 
getting Dorchester Neck annexed to Boston, and 
connected by a bridge in the direction of South 
street. He then made known his secret to the late 
Hon. Harrison Gray Otis, to Judge Tudor, Messrs. 
Jonathan Mason, and Gardiner Greene. These gen- 
tlemen thought so well of the project, that they lent 
it the aid of their wealth and station ; and a petition 
to the Legislature of 1 804, for the annexation and a 
bridge, was successful. The location of the bridge, 
however, was a subject of strong contention, as has 
been detailed in a previous chapter. A powerful 
opposition was organized at the South end, who con- 
tended that the utter ruin of their interests would 
follow, if the bridge went to Wheeler's Point. In 
this exigence, the best that could be done for South 
Boston was the building of the old, or South bridge, 
with a toll, and Front street, now Harrison Avenue, 
which was all reclaimed from the dead flats. And 
both were much more beneficial to the South end 
than to South Boston. 

But Mr. Woodward yielded not to this defeat. 
He never lost sight of his first intent. And he neg- 
lected no opportunity to enlist the public feeling in 
its favor. Year after year, for a long course of 
years, a petition went up to the Legislature for a 
bridge to Wheeler's Point. And year after year 



248 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

the opposition, under the lead of the late Deacon 
Brown, a representative from the South end, pre- 
vailed. The tears of Deacon Brown, deprecating 
the ruin that awaited the South-end interest, were 
not to be resisted. But the determined energy and 
perseverance of old Jo. Woodward^ as liis adversaries 
contemptuously styled him, was to succeed at last. 
In 1827 the Legislature granted a free bridge to Sea 
street, and the present North bridge was built with- 
out delay, and made passable the following year, 
1828. Those who were not personally witnesses to 
the facts, can have no just conception of the intrepid 
ardor and diligence, exhibited by Mr. Woodward, 
throughout that long and hard-fought struggle, or of 
the obloquy and reproach — the unsparing bitterness 
— not to say wanton and systematic abuse, which he 
suffered from the interested and powerful opposition 
to his great enterprise. 

It is proper to add the testimony of the Hon. Mr. 
Otis, to the part taken by Mr. Woodward in behalf 
of South Boston. In a letter to the writer of this, 
dated October 12, 1836, Mr. Otis says of him, "He 
was the first person, who proposed to Mr. Mason 
and my other associates, to make the purchase of 
what is now South Boston, with the intent to unite it 
to the old town by a bridge. He was the first pro- 
jector of it, so far as I know. There can be no 
question that his heart and faculties were constantly 
devoted to the object of building up South Boston." 

The last two years of his life, Mr. Woodward 
spent chiefly at Leominster, with his nephew, the 
late Charles W. Wilder, M.D., of that place. In a 
letter from thence, he says, " You well know all my 
pride has been in the prosperity of that part of the 
city." And again, he spoke but the literal truth 



JOSEPH WOODWARD. 249 

when he said, in the same letter, " I have spent the 
best of my days, and all my little property, for the 
prosperity of that now flourishing part of the city." 
It is a fact, that a structure built across the flats 
nearly to the channel, to help on the project of a 
bridge, chiefl}', if not wholly, at the expense of Mr. 
Woodward, and at a cost of $15,000, was all cut 
away and sent down stream by a nightly gang, led 
on by the most respectable South-enders. 

Mr. Woodward was a competent and efficient Jus- 
tice of the Peace, and for twenty years the only one 
at South Boston. He took a deep and lively in- 
terest in the politics of the country, from the com- 
mencement of the revolution, and was intimately ac- 
quainted with the eminent statesmen and legislators 
of the day. The elder President Adams was his 
near neio:hbor, when he resided in Quincy. From 
the first he was deeply imbued with the spirit of our 
free institutions, and devoted to the best interests 
of his country. He was ready to act his part in 
scenes of hroil and battle when they occurred. In 
December, 1773, when the British tea was destroyed, 
though only a youth of fifteen years, he was fired 
with the same enthusiasm as his elders, who took 
part in the measures which led to that event. And 
after the close of the war, when Mr. Jay's treaty 
with the British government became known, and a 
disafi'ected party paraded the streets of Boston with 
Mr. Jay hung in effigy, Mr. Woodward, at great per- 
sonal risk, hustled himself into their ranks, in the 
dusk of the evening, seized their standard, and bore 
it off in triumph. 

Notwithstanding the violence of his nature, he was 
a man of strong religious feelings. He well under- 
stood the evidences of the Christian revelation, and 



250 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

had the firmest conviction of its truth. For many 
years he and his wife were members in the commun- 
ion of the First Church in Boston ; and afterwards 
removed their relation to the Hawes Place Church, 
at South Boston. His residence with Dr. Chauncy 
made him acquainted with the ministers with whom 
that divine associated ; and he was always a friend 
of the clergy, and fond of their society. He used to 
express himself in strong and most confiding terms 
of the parental character of God, and this confidence 
never forsook him. It enabled him to look forward 
with calmness to the closing scene, of which he al- 
ways freely but reverently spoke ; and for which he 
patiently waited in the infirmity of his old age. He 
died at Leominster, on the 29th of June, 1838, in 
the 80th year of his age, and was buried at South 
Boston, the following Sunday, July 1st. 

Such was Joseph Woodward, the founder of South 
Boston. His faults were too open to be concealed, 
and his good qualities too many and great to be 
forgotten. 

Ahraha7n Gould. 

Abraham Gould resided at Dorchester Neck pre- 
vious to its annexation to Boston. His wife, Susan- 
nah Foster, was the daughter of James and Mary 
Foster, and a lineal descendant in the fifth genera- 
tion of Hopestill Foster, one of the earliest and 
most prominent settlers of Dorchester, and who was 
made a freeman in 1639. The ancestor, Hopestill, 
shared largely in lands in what is now called South 
Boston, and we find in the division of land among 
the proprietors, in the year 1718, his son James 
Foster's proportion was 70 acres, being about one- 
eighth part of the whole " Neck." 



CYRUS ALGEIl. 251 

The title to a large portion of this land passed to 
Mr. Gould by his wife, and by purchase in connexion 
with his brother-in-law, Benjamin Foster. The prin- 
cipal part of it was bounded as follows : — Easterly 
by the road leading from Dorchester to Castle Wil- 
liam, now called Dorchester street; southerly by an 
old road near the Catholic burying-ground, running 
westerly to a point near what is now called D street j 
and from thence running northward by the "Brew- 
ery Field " to the sea. 

Mr. Gould was born in Sudbury, Mass., in the year 
1755, and died in South Boston, February 3, 1840. 
He had the respect of all who knew him, and will 
long be remembered as an honest and useful man. 
His wife died November 14, 1837, aged 70 years. 

Cyrus Alget\ 

An obituary notice of Mr. Alger appeared in the 
South Boston Mercury, in February, 1856, from the 
pen of the author of this work. It contains so much 
historical matter that it is deemed worthy a place 
here ; and it now appears, with additions furnished 
by his only surviving son, Francis Alger, to whom 
we are indebted for the portrait by Grozelier (copied 
from a striking likeness by Alexander) inserted as 
the frontispiece to this volume. 

Death of Cyrus Alger. — It is with feelings of no 
common regret that we record the death of one of our 
oldest, most beloved and influential citizens, Cyrus 
Alger, Esq., the well-known Iron-Founder of South 
Boston. Eight weeks since we announced the death 
of his son Cyrus, little thinking that so speedily the 
father would be called to follow. The decease of 
his son bore heavily upon Mr. Alger, whose health 
had not been very good for some time, and he suffer- 



252 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

ed, on the 10th of December; a stroke of paralysis, 
not very severe in its character, but, nevertheless, 
coming at a time when the mind was overcome with 
affliction, and the body worn down by anxiety, it ex- 
cited the apprehensions of liis friends. He rallied 
somewhat, and was able to walk about the house 
until within a week of his death. He then became 
weaker, and spoke on Saturday for the last time, 
after which he seemed unconscious. On Monday, 
February 4th, at 9 J o'clock, A.M., he gently and 
sweetly passed away, as though falling into a quiet 
sleep, in the midst of those whom filial affection had 
constantly drawn to his bed-side. 

Thus has passed from earth a man whose name is 
more intimately identified with the history of South 
Boston, whose exertions have contributed more to 
raise her to her present position, whose perseve- 
rance and enterprise have done more to enhance her 
reputation and wealth, than can be said of any other. 

Born in Bridgewater, Mass., Nov. 11, 1781, he 
attended school for a time in Taunton, and partially 
fitted for college. He afterwards entered the iron- 
foundry business with his father (Abiezer Alger) at 
Easton. In his youth he was noted for his extreme 
swiftness at running and his great skill in jumping 
and wrestling, excelling in those sports all the young 
men in that section of the country. He was also 
noted as a famous horseman and gunner. Few were 
the sportsmen who could employ the rifle with such 
precision. In the year 1809, five years after old 
Mattapannock became a part of Boston, he came to 
South Boston at the solicitation of Gen. Winslow, 
with whom he formed a partnership and commenced 
the foundry business in a small building on Second 
street, near the sight of Russell's Glass House. Gen, 



CYRUS ALGER. 253 

Winslow, in about five years, transferred his busi- 
ness to his sou, when Mr. Alger left the firm and 
erected on his own account a foundry on Fourth 
street, nearly opposite his late residence. The large 
building which stood at the corner of Foundry street 
and the Old Bridge, and which has been demolished 
within the past two years, was erected as a store- 
house for sand and iron, affording, from its position, 
a fine wharf privilege. The old foundry building 
still exists, being now an appendage to Alger's 
Forsxe on Dorchester Avenue. Durino- the war of 
1812, Mr. Alger had contracts with the Government 
for cannon balls, and manufactured a large number, 
for which he obtained very high prices. During the 
time of this war, the late T. H. Perkins was associ- 
ated with him as a silent partner. 

In the year 1804, soon after the annexation of 
Mattapannock, the building of the Dorchester Turn- 
pike and the erection of the Old Bridge, the South 
Boston Association reclaimed the flats lying between 
what is now Fourth and Foundry streets and Dor- 
chester Avenue, by building a sea wall from the Old 
Bridge along the line of Foundry street, around 
the beach, to what is now Dorchester Avenue. They 
did little towards filling up, however, and finally 
sold to Mr. Alger the whole territory now lying 
west of Dorchester Avenue, between Federal-street 
Bridge and a line nearly as far south as Swan street, 
with the exception of a narrow parcel fronting on 
the Turnpike between Fourth and Swan streets. In 
this purchase, Mr. xilger was careful that his deed 
should take in all the flats in front of the sea wall 
to the channel, or low water mark ; and thus he ob- 
tained many thousand feet, which he clearly foresaw 
would in time prove not the least valuable portion 
22 



254 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

of his property. Jonathan Mason, the President of 
the Association, did not rcg^ard these flats as of much 
value, and included them in the sale without any mis- 
giving, believing that Mr. Alger had given so liberal 
a price for the upland, that the Association could 
well afford to throw in the flats. 

The speculation was a bold one, and Mr. Alger 
was laughed at for his presumption in buying such a 
parcel of land for the purpose, as he avowed, of 
making building lots. He repaired the sea wall, and 
began gradually to fill up the flats, having in his mind 
a plan the final success of which more than answered 
his expectations. 

The South Boston Iron Company, of which he was 
the originator and principal proprietor, was incorpo- 
rated in 1827. In this were associated with him 
the late George C. Thacher, William H. Howard 
one of the present members of the Company, and the 
late Mr. Caleb Reed as Treasurer. He then began 
to improve the property, and taking the sea wall as 
the easterly boundary, built out a wharf near where 
Alger's Foundry now stands, and erected a Foundry 
building. Gradually these works were extended, 
and at the same time Mr. Alger filled in, and laid 
out an elegant garden in the rear of his present resi- 
dence, and built up Fourth and Foundry streets to 
their present width. Lots for the Mechanics Bank 
Building and Barker's Building were sold, and affairs 
began to assume a new appearance. The "Field," 
as the hollow which so long remained within the tri- 
angle formed by Foundry, Turnpike and Division 
streets, was familiarly called, was not filled up until 
Mr. Alger sold to the Old Colony Railroad Company 
a passage through his garden, and the whole of the 
land they own north of Fourth street. 



CYRUS ALGER. 255 

In the mean time improvements had been pro- 
gressing on Foundry street. The Sea street Bridge 
was built and presented to the city, Mr. Alger being 
one of tlie most prominent movers in the matter. 
Through his influence other shops were started, un- 
til finally the whole of the flats inside of the Com- 
missioners' line and west of Foundry street were 
filled in, and covered with machine shops and foun- 
dries. Alger's Foundry has also been gradually en- 
larged, until now it is one of the most perfect iron 
establishments in the United States. 

«Mr. Alger had contemplated returning to Easton 
when the success of his business would warrant a 
retirement from active life. He purchased a large 
farm there, erected the most costly barn in the countiy, 
and had laid the foundation of a dwelling-house, when 
an event occurred which he afterwards looked upon 
as the most fortunate one in his life, changing as it 
did all his plans. The barn, when full of hay and 
grain, was struck by lightning and entirely consum- 
ed, and was never rebuilt. 

Mr. Alger was one of the best practical iron metal- 
lurgists in the United States. He succeeded, by a 
method peculiar to himself, in purifying cast iron, so 
as to give it more than triple the strength of ordi- 
nary cast iron ; the process consisting in removing 
impurities from the metal while in a fluid state, and 
causing it to be much more dense. The method gave 
him a great advantage over other iron founders. It 
also gave him superior skill in the manufacture of 
cannon, and for many years he has been very largely 
employed in making guns for the United States Gov- 
ernment, his cannon having sustained most extraordi- 
nary endurance when subjected to extreme proof. 
The mortar gun " Columbiad," the largest gun of 



256 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

cast iron ever cast in America, was made under his 
personal supervision."^ In the composition of fuses 
for bomb shells he also made great improvements, 
which have been adopted by the Government. He 
also first introduced and patented the method of mak- 
ing cast iron chilled rolls, by which the part subject to 
wear should be hard, while the necks remain unchang- 
ed as to hardness and strength — these being cast in 
sand, while the body is cast in a chill, or iron cylin- 
der. Until his time all the reverberatory furnaces for 
melting iron were made with hearths inclining from 
the fire, the metal thus running from the heat to- 
wards the throat of the chimney. He changed the 
form, so as to allow the iron to flow towards the 
flame where the heat would be the most intense. 
He was familiar with the methods of working the 
ores of iron, and with the operations of the crucible. 

Nor did he confine his attention to iron. He man- 
ufactured the first perfect bronze cannon for the 
United States Ordnance Department, and for the 
State of Massachusetts. For these he obtained the 
gold medal awarded by the Massachusetts Mechanic 
Association. 

In 1829, he visited Nova Scotia, and in connection 

* During the experimental firings of this gun at South Boston 
Point, an interesting incident occurred. One of the balls discharged 
from it, and weighing nearly 200 pounds, had deviated from the 
course in which Mr. Alger intended it should go, and instead of stop- 
ping, as usual, on the opposite shore of the Bay (distance 2^ miles), 
continued on, ploughing its way through an unsuspecting farmer's 
potato field, throwing up dirt and stones and a cloud of dust within a 
few rods of his house and not far from where he stood. A neighbor 
passing by at the' time, asked him, " Are you not afraid of such close 
shooting as that r" «' Oh no," said he, <* 'Mi. Alger knows what he 
is about." 



CYRUS ALGER. 257 

with several capitalists of IlalifaX; built the first 
Smelting Furnace in the British Provinces, locating 
it on Moose River, a few miles from Annapolis. The 
machinery was made at his works in Boston, and 
mechanics in his own employment were sent to put 
it up. Many are they in that vicinity who speak in 
grateful remembrance of one who did so much to call 
forth their energies and open the wealth that lay 
hidden beneath their feet. The works went into 
operation, but failing to command the additional 
capital required in carrying out Mr. Alger's plans, 
they were not extended to the manufacture of bar 
iron and steel. In this enterprise the loss to Mr. 
Alger was more than ten thousand dollars. 

Of late years, Mr. Alger has by no means been 
idle, but has been ever active in making improve- 
ments, spending large sums of money in enriching, 
beautifying, and otherwise benefiting South Boston. 
He purchased eleven acres of marsh between South 
Boston and Washington Village, and was instrumen- 
tal in attracting thither the two extensive manufac- 
tories that are situated in that section of the Ward. 
He also laid out a large sum in beautifying Dorches- 
ter Avenue, building sidewalks and at his own ex- 
pense setting out shade trees, the entire distance 
from the Railroad crossing to the junction of Dor- 
chester street and Dorchester Avenue. 

At the time of the attack which has terminated 
fatally, he had partially perfected several plans for 
improvement which, if carried into effect, would have 
been of the greatest benefit to the Twelfth Ward. 

His influence was very great, and to his personal 

exertion and enterprise South Boston is indebted 

for much of the mechanical reputation she enjoys. 

He attracted business, encouraged every movement 

22* 



258 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

for extending the meclianical operations of the 
neighborhood, and by his reputation and wealth 
was enabled to ensure success in almost every pro- 
ject he undertook. The most extensive land-holder 
in South Boston, he knew full well the importance of 
giving the place a reputation, and encouraged every 
effort made for improvement. 

As a citizen, Mr. Alger was universally beloved, 
and he enjoyed the full confidence of his fellow 
citizens, who looked upon him as a person to whom 
they could confidently entrust their interests. He 
was a member of the Common Council the first year 
of the organization of the City Government of Bos- 
ton, and represented South Boston as Alderman dur- 
ing a portion of the year 1824 and in 1827. 

Mr. Alger's kindness to the men in his employ 
was proverbial, and he has often kept men on half 
time when their services were not needed, to pre- 
vent the pecuniary distress which would be caused 
by a discharge. He was the first man in South Bos- 
ton to introduce the ten hour system. His payments 
to his workmen have been always in cash, and 
amounted for years to nearly two thousand dollars 
per week, and he probably paid more money during 
his lifetime for labor than any other man in our 
city. The benefit to South Boston of such prompt 
and sure employment as his works afforded, is in- 
calculable. 

In private life his character was umblemished. 
He was liberal in his views and benevolent in his 
feelings. His donations to the poor, and for chari- 
table and religious purposes, amounted in the aggre- 
gate to a large sum annually. He made no boast of 
his liberality ; but when he gave alms he did it in 
secret, and it was known only to his own family and 
the recipients of his bounty. 



CYRtJS ALGER. 259 

In his family he -vvas a kind husband and father; 
and the deep sorrow arising from the loss of his 
youngest son, undoubtedly hastened his decease. 

In Mr. Alger's death it may truly be said, South 
Boston has lost one of its most injBucntial and valua- 
ble citizens ; our city has lost a man whose labors 
have done very much to advance its reputation, and 
the United States has lost one of its most skilful 
and enterprising mechanics. 

The funeral obsequies of Mr. Alger took place on 
Thursday afternoon at his late residence on Fourth 
street. The corpse was clad in a white shroud, and 
the countenance looked very natural, his illness hav" 
ing made little change in his appearance. The ser- 
vices were commenced by reading selections from 
the Scriptures by Rev. Dr. Gannett, after which the 
beautiful hymn, 

"Thou art gone to the grave, but we will not deplore thee," 

was sung. Rev. Professor Huntington, of whose 
late church Mr. Alger had long been a member, and 
upon whose ministrations he was a very constant at» 
tendant, then offered a most touching and beautiful 
prayer, after which the hymn, 

*' How blest the righteous when he dies," 

was sung, and the benediction pronounced, 

A procession was then formed, and passed through 
Dorchester Avenue and Broadway to the Union 
Ground at City Point. Notwithstanding the severe 
storm, a large number of persons preceded the hearse 
on foot, the mourners following the corpse in car- 
riages. 

As a mark of respect to the memory of the de» 
ceased, all the stores, without a single exception^ on 



260 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON. 

the route of the procession, were closed while the 
body was being borne to the tomb, and the various 
church bells, by order of the Mayor, tolled a solemn 
requiem. Nor were these the only tokens of respect 
paid to the honored dead. Nearly all the large 
manufactories suspended work for the afternoon, from 
the Armory floated the American flag at half-mast, 
and arrangements had been made to have the pupils 
of the public schools join in the procession, had not 
the weather been so very inclement. "We have never 
seen in South Boston such general and heartfelt 
sorrow at the death of a citizen as at that of Mr. 
Alger, nor do we remember a more universal en- 
deavor to pay respect to the memory of any one. 

The following, a fitting close to our notice, is 
from the pen of a distinguished officer of the United 
States Navy Department — Commodore J. A. Dahl- 
green : — 

" That we should lose the services of one so able 
as Mr. Alger, is much to be deplored ; but it is to be 
remembered that his term extended to three-fourths 
of a century, and that his sterling integrity, rare 
abilities, and unceasing industry, have built him up a 
durable fame, which is at once a rich legacy to his 
family, and an example most worthy of imitation. 

" He possessed that rare quality, sagacity, which 
constitutes, in truth, the highest attribute of the in- 
tellectual man — -and enabled him to arrive at results 
which others sought by disciplined study laboriously 
and often in vain. Minds of this cast are rarely met 
with, and they are invaluable to their time and gen- 
eration. I shall ever retain the most profound re- 
gard for the many excellent virtues and great abili- 
ties of Cyrus Alger." 



DISTINGUISHED CITIZENS. 261 

Adam Bent. 

Adam Bent, a very intelligent and worthy man, 
and an active and useful citizen, lived at South Bos- 
ton about fifty years. He was born in Milton, on 
the 17th of March, 1776 — the day immediately fol- 
lowing the memorable night, when the fortress was 
thrown up here upon Dorchester Heights. He was 
the son of Ebenezer Bent, who died in middle life, 
leaving a numerous family, of whom Adam was 
among the elder. He served his apprenticeship with 
Benjamin Crehore, of Milton, who was a cabinet-ma- 
ker, and the maker of musical instruments. 

In the summer of 1797, a Frenchman, named Mal- 
let, connected with the theatre in Boston, sent him a 
piano-forte to be repaired, said to have been the 
first instrument of the kind ever brought to this 
country; and Mr. Bent was employed to make the 
repairs. In this way getting an insight into the 
structure of the instrument, he soon removed to Bos- 
ton, and with an older brother, William Bent, com- 
menced the manufacture ; and if not^ the first, they 
were among the first who engaged in the business of 
making the forte piano, as it was then called, in this 
country. That original instrument was plain as a 
common table — a shrill and slender article, which a 
man might easily handle alone, and would but ill 
compare with the costly and melodious instruments 
of 1857. 

After living about ten years in the old part of 
Boston, Mr. Bent removed to South Boston in the 
year 1807. The following year he was married to 
Sukey Foster Blake, of this place, and here continued 
to reside for the residue of his years. 

He died on the 22d of March, 1857, after an ill- 



262 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTON. 

ness of a few weeks, at the age of 81 years and five 
days. 

Mr. Bent was a man of modest deportment, not 
ambitious of distinction, but always ready to serve 
the public in any oflice to which he might be called. 
After the city organization, he served three years as 
a member of the Common Council, and one (the year 
1831) on the board of Aldermen, and was for five 
years a Representative from Boston to the General 
Court; and performed the duties of these several 
offices with credit to himself and to the satisfaction 
of his constituents. He was one of the fourteen 
original members of the Hawes Place Society, named 
in their act of incorporation, and was the last sur- 
vivor of them. On the 22d of October, 1829, he 
was chosen a Deacon of the Church connected with 
that society, and by virtue of that office was one of 
the Trustees of the Hawes Fund. 

In all the relations of life. Deacon Bent was em- 
phatically the upright and faithful 7nan. In social 
and domestic life he was most kind and exemplary 
in all respects. He seldom spoke without a win- 
ning smile, and his constant flow of good humor made 
him always an agreeable companion. He was cheer- 
ful and mild in temper, though possessed of very 
delicate sensibilities. He was a man of great good 
taste and judgment, and of accurate skill in music 
and the mechanic arts. From his early years he had 
faithfully disciplined and cultivated his mind by hab- 
its of accurate thinking and careful observation. He 
thought for himself— thought freely, independently, 
and had unusual firmness and decision of character, 
and a power of will, which bound him inflexibly to 
whatever he thought to be true and right. Still he 
was candid and open to conviction. 



SAMUEL BLAKE. 263 

The strength and serenity of his mind, the warmth 
of his affections, and the beauty of his guileless cha- 
racter, remained unimpaired to the last ; and he qui- 
etly passed away with almost none of the common 
infirmities of old age. 

Samuel Blake. 

Samuel Blake lived at South Boston about eigh- 
teen years, and stood deservedly high in the public 
esteem, as well as in the affections of a large circle 
of relatives and friends. He was born in Boston, 
September 13, 1788. There he was brought up, and 
there he passed the most of his mature life in the 
pursuit of mercantile business. In the year 1835 he 
removed to South Boston, having built an elegant 
and commodious mansion on the spot where his an- 
cestors had lived for six generations. This is the 
fourth framed house tliat has occupied the same site. 
The first having stood nearly a century, and gone 
much to deca}^, was taken down in 1732. The 
second was burned by the British soldiers in tlie war 
of the Revolution ; and the third was moved off to 
make room for the present. 

This family of the Blakes, in all their generations, 
have been distinguished for their piety, for their 
precise and correct deportment in all the relations 
of life, and for their great accuracy in matters of 
fact. Many of them have held important offices of 
honor and trust in the community ; and no records 
of past events are more reliable than those kept by 
them. Blake s Annals of Dorchester, written by the 
great-grandfather of our present subject, are histori- 
cal documents of the first importance ) and no surveys 
and plans are more complete and accurate than his. 

William Blake, the first ancestor in this country, 



264 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

was one of tlie first settlers of Dorciiester, having 
arrived in the ship Mary (^' John, in May, 1630. 
His son James, it appears, settled here at the Point, 
where he built a house about the year 1680.'^ It is 
creditable to the family, that sixty acres or more of 
the land, owned by him, were retained as late as the 
year 1803 — and much of it is still retained by them. 

As further proof of their skill in research, they 
have traced their descent, four generations beyond 
the settlement of this country, to John Blake, of 
little Baddow, Essex County, England. 

The subject of this notice well sustained the gen- 
eral characteristics of his race. He was the diligent, 
punctual and successful man of business, in whom his 
associates could always safely confide ; a man of 
sound judgment in business affairs ; of a mild and 
quiet spirit — modest, and unaspiring in his manners, 
amiable in disposition, of a cheerful temperament, 
warm-hearted and benevolent, greatly beloved by 
his family and friends, and much respected by all 
who knew him. 

After a lingering illness of several months, which 
terminated in dropsy, he died on the 17th of January, 
1853; at the age of sixty-four years a.nd four months. 

Noah Brooks. 

Among the first and most prominent branches of 
business which have contributed to the growth and 
prosperity of South Bostou, is ship-building. This 
business was commenced about the close of the war 
of 1812, by Messrs. Lincoln & Wheelwright, under 
the superintendence of Mr. Samuel Kent, whose chil- 



* Documents lately brought to light show plainly that the above 
date, rather than 1660 as stated on a previous page, is the correct one. 



NOAH BROOKS. 265 

dren are still residents of South Boston. Mr. Kent 
was succeeded by his brother-in-law, Capt. Noah 
Brooks, long and favorably known as a public spirit- 
ed citizen and an honest, upright and conscientious 
man. Capt. Brooks was born at Scituatc, July 7, 
1782. He was a resident of South Boston for more 
than thirty years, and did much, by his active and 
energetic spirit, as well as by the power of his ex- 
ample, to advance the best interests of the place. 
He was a large subscriber to the Free Bridge, and 
one of the committee for building that work. He 
was one of the original petitioners for the Mechanics 
Bank, and a prominent Director of that Institution 
until his death. He was several times elected a 
member of the Legislature and of the City Council, 
and was Treasurer and one of the Trustees of the 
Hawes Fund for many years. He had a rare talent 
for business, and whatever he undertook was well 
done. In every measure of public reform, Capt. 
Brooks either took the lead or lent a ready and ac- 
tive co-operation, and from no good work did he 
withhold his hand or his heart. Hon. Abbott 
Lawrence once said of him, when upon a visit to the 
City of Washington, that he took great pleasure in 
introducing Capt. Brooks to his southern friends as 
the best specimen of a true Yankee. 

In the social relations of life, and in all that relat- 
ed to his duties as a neighbor and a friend, Capt. B. 
was attentive, kind and sympathizing, and always 
ready to oblige. Hig charities were not few, but 
they were quietly bestowed. His death took place 
January 28, 1852, in the 70th year of his age, and. 
was caused by being thrown from his sleigh. 

A view of his dwelling, the first built on Broadway 
between Dorchester and E streets, is here given. 
23 



266 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 



David Williams. 

David Williams was born on Governor's Island^ 
in Boston harbor, in the year 1759. In early life 
he made several voyages to sea; and was for awhile^ 
during the war of the Revolution, engaged in priva- 
teering. But the most of his active life was spent 
in the fishing business, and as a pilot in the harbor^ 
and his residence was at Dorchester Neck. From 
the peculiar circumstances of his youth, and in fact 
from the state of the country at the time, Mr. Wil- 
liams had but little opportunity for any other than 
self-education. But the natural powers^ both of his 
mind and heart, were correct and well-balanced, and 
he was remarkable for his sound judgment, discre- 
tion, and considerate thoughtfulness j and all that is 
kind and generous in our nature was strongly mark- 
ed in his character. Through life he had his full 
share of trials, but he did not murmur nor complain ; 
he bore them as a christian should. The vices and 
temptations of a sea-faring life seem to have had no 
bad effect upon him. From early life he was seriously 
inclined. But the strong impulse, which led him in 
earnest to embrace the Christian faith, came not from 
the pulpit, nor from any of the ordinary means of 
religious influence. It was imparted during a voy- 
age at sea. On a bright Sabbath morning, when the 
peace of the elements accorded with that of his 
own bosom, with the Bible in his hand, he viewed the 
broad expanse above and l^eneath, and saw the 
works of God and his wonders on the deep. While 
he was thus musing upon the great themes present- 
ed to his view, the fire of sacred truth burned, and it 
ceased not to burn to his last hour, though he did 
not publicly profess his faith till late in life. 



DAVID WILLIAMS. 267 

At the organization of the Hawes Place Church, 
October 27, 1819, Mr. Williams was baptized, and 
became one of its original members. From Septem- 
ber, 1822, by request, he acted as Deacon of the 
Church about seven years, and received a vote of 
thanks for his services in that office. Through life 
he was strictly temperate and industrious; quiet, 
and gentle, and every way exemplary in manners ; 
an upright, wise and good man; a devout and practi- 
cal christian. 

One incident of his life, of peculiar interest, seems 
worthy to be here noted, in the detail in which it 
was received from him and his brother John, many 
years ago. 

David Williams, then nineteen years old, and his 
brother John Williams, in his seventeenth year, were 
among the crew of tlie privateer brig General Ar- 
nold, of 20 guns, and 106 men, which sailed from 
Boston on Thursday, December 24, 1778. In the 
afternoon of that day, there was a fall of damp snow, 
Yv'hich soon froze to the rigging and about the vessel, 
rendering her very difficult to manage, and detained 
her off the Gurnet, in Plymouth harbor. On Friday 
afternoon, the 25th, the cold greatly increased. The 
wind rose at N. N. E., and a snow storm began, 
which by its violence and intense cold was unequal- 
led in the history of New England storms. From 
the severity of the weather, probably, the precaution 
was not taken to lighten the brig of her guns, and 
other disposable lading, which the Messrs. Williams 
believed would have enabled her to ride over the 
bar, into the deep tide-soaked snow, where she would 
have lain secure. Near the dawn of Saturday, the 
26th, she parted her cables, struck upon the beach, 
and bilo;ed. On Saturdav P. M., after the utmost 



268 HISTORY OP SOUTH BOSTOX. 

exertion at the pumps, the men were obliged to 
leave the vessel and themselves to their fate. Sun- 
day, the 27th, was fair, but dreadfully cold. The 
people of Plymouth made every effort for their re- 
lief, without success. Wlien they were seen to re- 
turn, the crew sunk disheartened, and soon died to 
the number of seventy-eight. And from the merci- 
less pelting of the billows, which froze hard to them^ 
they looked rather like solid statues of ice, than real 
human bodies. On Monday, the 28th, the cold had 
somewhat abated, and the men of Plymouth renewed 
their efforts with success. They reached the vessel 
about sunset. Twenty-eight of those frozen, famish- 
ed and exhausted sufferers were yet alive. Since 
Friday they had tasted neither food nor drink. They 
had been huddled together on the quarter deck, with 
no extra clothing, and no shelter but the skies. 

Thus night and day they had borne the raging of 
the wind and the sea, and the dreadful cold. All 
that chanced to be saved from below was a keg of 
rum, of which all who drank, after a brief excite- 
ment, sunk into a stupor, from which they never 
awoke. The rest made a wiser and salutary use of 
it, by pouring it into their boots. When help arriv- 
ed, John Williams, who during the storm had been 
without hat, cap, mittens, boots or shoes, was much 
frozen, and unable to leave the vessel, and David 
was attempting to carry him through the deep and 
half frozen brine, when their deliverers took them 
both off in safety. Among the living was the cap- 
tain, James Magee, afterwards the owner of the 
mansion at Roxbury brook, since the residence of 
the late Governor Eustis. Captain Magee was a 
man of noble bearing, and a nobler soul ; a true- 
hearted Irishman, well known and much respected 
in his day. 



HALL J. HOW. 269 

John Williams suffered much, through life, from 
the effects of his shipwreck. He was always lame, 
having lost the toes from both his feet, one of which 
became so diseased and painful, that, several years 
before his death, he submitted to the amputation of 
it by the late Dr. Miller, of Franklin, which contri- 
buted greatly to his comfort for the residue of his 
life. 

The attachment of these excellent men, all the 
storms of life served only to confirm. After the 
elder brother lost his consort, and his children sepa- 
rated, the younger invited him into his family, and 
while they lived they showed a truly child-like affec- 
tion for each other. Loving brothers in life, they 
were not long divided in death. The younger died 
in April, 1834, aged 73 years. The elder died De- 
cember 4, 1836, aged 77 years. Safe beyond the 
storms and the shipwrecks of life, they have met 
where the waves of trouble cannot reach them, nor 
the billows of temptation assail. 

Hall J. How. 

Hall Jackson How lived at South Boston about 
eighteen years, and was always forward in every en- 
terprise that might contribute to the prosperity of 
the place. He was born at Rochester, N. H., Feb- 
ruary 12th, 1791. At the age of sixteen years, by 
the death of his father. Dr. JamesJIow, an eminent 
physician of that town, the care '^f the family and 
the management of their farm devolved on him. 
Thus early were his energies called into exercise, 
and the manly character developed ; and he showed 
an industry, a power of application, and a spirit of 
enterprise, which indicated the man of business. He 
had gained from his father a skill in the medical pro- 
23* 



270 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

fcssion, wliicli was useful to him through life. But 
his stronger tastes and leanings were for mercantile 
pursuits. On reaching manhood, therefore, with 
little capital besides the resources of his own mind, 
he began business in tlie country, on a small scale j 
and enlarging it with the increase of his means, after 
a few years he removed to Portsmouth, N. H., and 
afterwards to Boston. By his experience and ob- 
servation, he had gained a quickness of perception 
and of judgment, an insight almost intuitive into the 
laws of trade, which soon gave him a very high 
rank among the merchants of Boston ; and by his 
promptness and integrity, and his frank and winning 
manners, he secured their confidence and esteem. 
His constant personal attention, and the force of his 
active mind, were given to his employment — and we 
seldom meet with more despatch, with more accu- 
rate and efficient business talent, than was seen in 
Mr. How. 

Mr. How was for several years one of the Trustees 
of the Hawes Fund. He was also the originator 
and forwarder of many important enterprises which 
have contributed to the improvement of South Bos- 
ton, among which may be mentioned, as being most 
identified with the growth of the place, the erection 
of the Mt. Washington Hotel by the Warren Asso- 
ciation, the incorporation of the Boston Wharf Co., 
and the building of the North Free Bridge. 

In the quiet walks of social life he was not less 
distinguished. He was a man of kind and generous 
affections and refined sensibilities — public spirited 
and charitable ; secretly scattering abroad his bounty^ 
to make glad many desolate hearts. 

Of the domestic character of Mr. How, we can 
iardly speak in terms too strong. As a son, a bro- 



JOSIAH DUNHAM. 271 

tlier, a husband, and a parent, few men could be 
more justly beloved by those to whom he sustained 
these relations. Exemplary and faithful before his 
household, he exercised a firm, unyielding restraint; 
yet with so much wisdom and gentleness, that it was 
hardly felt to be a restraint. In his general charac- 
ter he was firm and decided, yet with no lack of 
mildness or candor. 

His health had been failing for some years, but he 
died of acute dj^sentery, after a few days' illness, on 
the 17th of August, 1849, at the age of fifty-eight 
years and six months. He had sustained the con- 
jugal relation twenty-nine years, and left a family 
of six sons and five daughters. It is remarkable 
that his was the first death that occurred in the 
family, 

Josiah Dunham. 

Prominent amono; those who have been for a long: 
time identified with the interests and history of 
South Boston, stands the well-known name of Josiah 
Dunham. He was born in New Bedford, March 11, 
1775. His father was a sea-captain. The family 
were among the earlier settlers of Plymouth, the 
first record of which goes back as far as the year 
1635. The branch from which he descended subse- 
quently moved to Martha's Vineyard. When a youth 
he came to Boston, and served an apprenticeship at 
the rope-making business with a Mr, Richardson, the 
father of the Hon. Jeffrey Richardson, of Boston, 
whose rope-walks extended from Purchase street to 
Milk street; near to the present location of Pearl 
street. 

He first commenced the manufacture of cordage 
on his own account in a rope walk which stood on or 



272 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

near Boylston street in Boston. In tlie year 1807 he 
became the purchaser of several acres of land at 
South Boston, in the vicinity of B street, and built a 
residence for himself and a rope-walk, where he con- 
tinned to carry on the cordage manufacture until the 
close of the 3^ear 1853. During all the years of his 
residence in South Boston, he was engaged in the 
building of dwellings and stores, and, without erect- 
ing a large number in any one year, yet in the ag- 
gregate he was the moving spirit in the erection of 
more buildings in the place than any other man. 
Though he did not have the advantage of early edu- 
cation, yet for foresight, energy, perseverance and 
power of memory, he had few superiors. He was 
impulsive, easily excited, and an injury, real or 
supposed, was not soon forgotten. On the other 
hand, his friendships were strong, his benefactions 
generous and long continued, and he would often do 
favors to others even to his own injury. He was an 
active participator in the efforts for building the 
North Free Bridge, and was untiring in his zeal for 
whatever promised to be of advantage to the place 
of his chosen residence. He served the twelfth 
ward in the Common Council in the year 1833, and 
for the three succeeding years was an efficient mem- 
ber of the Board of Aldermen. AVhile a member of 
the latter board, he felt a deep interest in the grad- 
ing of the streets of South Boston, but few of which 
had been, previous to that time, put into a respectable 
condition. Finding his associates in the Board ra- 
ther slow in their movements in this work, he fol- 
lowed the example of one, of whom he was an ardent 
supporter, and in his capacity as one of the Survey- 
ors of the Highways, '^ took the responsibility." 
He set men to work in ploughing down and level- 



JOHN H. BIRD. 273 

ling up Fourth street and Broadway. When com- 
pleted, he carried the bills for the same, amounting 
to some $2500, before the Aldermen, who with some 
shru2:s of their shoulders, joined with some mild ad- 
monitions, and a few smiles at the boldness of the 
act of their associate, approved the bills and ordered 
their payment by the City. 

In the year 1823, when the Congregational Church 
was formed which is now known as the Phillips 
Church, he generously erected a hall on Fourth 
street for their place of worship, and gave them the 
rent and other substantial aid, till they erected 
their church building. 

He had a wonderfully strong and vigorous consti- 
tution, and died April 28, 1857, being a little more 
than 82 vears of ao:e. 

John H. Bird. 
John IIawes Bird was born at South Boston, in 
September, 1807. His father, Jonathan Bird, Esq., 
inherited and occupied the patrimonial estate, called 
the Bird farm, a large tract extending from the old 
road on the north, over the heights to the tide on 
the south, including most of the northerly, and part 
of the southerly hill. He was a graduate of Harvard 
College, in the class of 1782— and cousin to Mr. 
John Hawes, and so he gave his son that name. His 
wife was Ann Vincent Woodward, eldest daughter 
of Joseph Woodward, Esq. He died in the year 
1809, when his son was about two years old. He 
was an excellent man, and greatly beloved. His 
wi-dow broke up house-keeping soon after the death 
of her husband, and with the subject of this notice, her 
only child, returned to live with her father ; and there 
he iiad his home to the day of his death. He knew 



274 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

DO other father than Mr. Woodward, who well dis- 
charged the duties of a parent towards him. 

Mr. Bird inherited the quiet and amiable disposi- 
tion of his father, and grew up much respected and 
beloved. He was fitted for College, chiefly at the 
Academy in Lexington, and graduated at Providence 
in the year 1829. He studied law in the office of 
the Hon. Franklin Dexter, and afterwards visited 
Europe. But his health was hardly firm enough, 
and his habits were too active, for sedentary pur- 
suits, and he chose not to enter on the practice of 
his profession. He took a deep interest in every 
thing that concerned the prosperity of South Boston, 
and gave promise of eminent usefulness as a citizen. 
But the hopes of his friends, and of the public, were 
soon and suddenly disappointed, by a grievous casu- 
alty. On the 10th of June, 1835, he was engaged in 
business, as usual, in the forenoon, in perfect health. 
After dinner, he visited the sick bed of the friend to 
whom he was in a few days to have been married, 
left for the city, and in an hour was a corpse. In 
attempting to go aboard a vessel, in which he was 
interested, and which was about to sail, he fell from 
the connecting plank, which was laid in a winding 
position, struck his head upon a spar beside the 
wharf, and was instantly killed. 

Seldom is death attended with so much concern 
and grief, as on this occasion. The hearts of his 
friends were bound up in him ; and his strict integ- 
rity and purity of life, had inspired universal confi- 
dence and esteem. He had been a member in the 
communion of the Hawes Place Church about six 
years, a Trustee of the Hawes Fund over two years, 
and a part of the time was Clerk of the Board. Be- 
ing of a thoughtful turn of mind, and deeply impress- 



ROMANUS EMERSON". 275 

ed with the uncertainty of life, a few months before 
his death Mr. Bird made his will. It is dated Janu- 
ary 2, 1835 — and it seems to have been a special 
object with him to begin the year with this transac- 
tion. After giving a generous legacy to his grand- 
father^ Mr. Woodward, and making ample provision 
for the support of his mother, he bequeathed one 
half of his estate to his other nearest relatives, and 
left the other half in perpetual Trust for the main- 
tenance of a female High School. The will speci- 
fies ^^ a seminary of the first order ^ to be established 
at South Boston^ At no distant day the fund will 
be ample for the support of a school, which will be 
alike honorable to the founder and useful to the 
place, 

Romanus Emerson. 

Mr. Emerson was born at Townsend, September 
1, 1782. His father afterwards removed to Han- 
cock, N. H., where he was brought up. His early 
studies were directed with a view to the Christian 
ministry. But owing to an impediment in his speech; 
he left his studies, and after teaching school for a 
while, learned the carpenter's trade at Charlestown. 
His three brothers, who survive him, are ministers : 
viz. — Kev. Reuben Emerson, of South Reading ,• Rev. 
Brown Emerson, S. T. D., of Salem; and Rev. Noah 
Emerson, of Hollis, N. H. 

Mr. Emerson lived at South Boston more than 
forty years. He came here in the year 1810, and 
kept a small grocery in addition to his trade. He 
witnessed great changes and improvements here 
in his time. He was an industrious citizen, fru- 
gal and temperate in his manner of life, careful, 
accurate, and upright in his business transactions^ 



276 HISTORY OF SOUTH BOSTON. 

and faithful and exemplary in his domestic and 
social relations. He was forward in every move- 
ment for social reform, and took a deep interest 
in the moral progress of society. He formerly sold 
spirituous drinks, but seeing the dread evils of in- 
temperance, he wholly left off the sale. In the latter 
years of his life his efforts were zealously engaged 
in the temperance and anti-slavery movements. He 
had great command of his temper, and could not 
easily be provoked to violent anger or resentment. 

Mr. Emerson possessed strong reasoning powers, 
and was an original and independent thinker. But 
there was something peculiar in the structure of his 
mind — a defect, perhaps it should be called, which 
sometimes led him to singular conclusions, of which 
he was usually very tenacious. For he had a pride 
of opinion, which he did not easily yield, when he 
had once made up his mind. He was especially 
singular in his views of religion. Till late in his 
life, he had most rigidly adhered to the opinions 
usually styled orthodox, and in the Baptist denomina- 
tion. From various causes, becoming dissatisfied 
with these, and most unjustly attributing all the 
wrongs that have arisen from the mistakes and 
abuses of religion, to pure religion itself, his mind 
swung to the opposite extreme. He openly re- 
nounced all religious opinions whatever, and died 
deliberately holding to his speculative unbelief. But 
Mr. Emerson's speculations did not appear to mate- 
rially affect his general character. His power of 
virtuous habit was strong and abiding. The fruits 
of his early Christian culture and training were seen 
in his old age, and to the end of his days. 

He died on the 10th of October, 1852, at the age 
of 70 years. 



^FI^EISTDIX. 



A. (Page t5.) 

Memorial of the Committee of the Town of Dorches- 
ter AGAINST Annexation. 

To the Honoi^able Senate and House of Representatwes of 

the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in General Court 

assembled : — 

The Memorial of the Subscribers humbly showeth, 
that the Inhabitants of Dorchester in Town Meeting, 
legally assembled on the 23d Day of January, in the 
year of our Lord 1804, Pursuant to an Order of Notice 
to consider of the Petition of Wm. Tudor, Esq., Pray- 
ing the Peninsula called Dorchester Neck may be set 
ofl" and incorporated with the Town of Boston, 

Voted, To remonstrate against granting the prayer of 
said Petition, and chose the Subscribers a committee 
for that purpose. 

They therefore beg leave to state — notwithstanding 
the representation of Said Petition respecting the Quan- 
tity of land in Said Peninsula, the time in which it was 
incorporated with the Town, the relative situation there- 
of with respect to the Town of Boston, &c., are just — ■ 
yet, severing the same from its ancient connection — 
connected and strengthened by mutual and long-timed 
friendship — must cause feuds and animosities naturally 
tending to weaken the bands of society and to discour- 
age the spirit of Industry and enterprise of which the- 
Inhabitants of Dorchester are not wholly destitute. 
24 



278 APPENDIX. 

And they further state, — That since the Incorporation 
of the Town of Dorchester, the Town of Milton, all that 
was originally Stoughton, and parts of other Towns, 
have at dijBTerent Periods been set off from the first Men- 
tioned Town — and though the remainder is now nearly 
ten miles in length, it contains little more than seven 
thousand acres of Land ; the southwesterly part is well 
known to be extremely rough, barren, and of little 
value, — and the only improvements which can now be 
made to advantage, are on that part which lies in 
the north-easterly portion of the town. Should Said 
Neck, which may be more properly called tlie head of 
Dorchester, containing nearly six hundred acres of Land, 
first in Quality, inviting the Citizens of all Countries to 
its extensive shore, be annexed to Boston, already the 
successful rival of every Town in the Commonwealth, 
the remaining part of the Inhabitants of Dorchester must 
lose their balance in the scale of Government — and for 
want of proper objects to draw the Spirit of Enterprise 
and Industry into action, and means to regain their for- 
mer station, must remain in the backgTound of their 
fellow citizens, with a large number of poor to support, 
many Roads to maintain and new ones to make, and no 
Diminution of their Town charges. 

And though the prosperity and magnificence of the 
Town of Boston will ever be viewed with pleasure, and 
its commerce and manufactories be aided and cherished 
with avidity by the Inhabitants of Dorchester, yet they 
conceive part of the advantages resulting from the con- 
templated Bridge justly belongs to them, and should the 
same be enacted agreeably to the request of William 
Tudor, Esq., and Gardiner Greene, or otherwise, all the 
advantages contemplated in the Petition would rush 
into existence under the patronage of the Town of Dor- 
chester. 

And as the Inhabitants of Boston are unwilling to 
receive that without compensation, which the Inhabi- 
tants of Dorchester hold in the highest estimation, and 



APPENDIX. 279 

will relinquish only with the greatest reluctance and 
deepest regret, 

The Subscribers, therefore, in behalf of the Town of 
Dorchester, humbly pray the Honorable Court to take the 
Subject into their wise consideration, and not to grant 
the Prayer of the Said Petition ; but if the Honorable 
Court shall otherwise determine, that it may be done 
under such regulations and restrictions as shall give to 
the Town of Dorchester a just proportion of the advan- 
tages. 

(Signed) Ebenezer Wales, Stephen Badlam, Samuel 
Withington, James Robinson, Jr., Ebenezer Tolman, 
Lemuel Crane, Thomas Moseley, Edward W. Baxter. 

Dated at Dorchester, Jan. 25, 1804. 



B. (Page 75.) 
Memorial of the Petitioners in favor of Annexation. 
To the Selectmen of the Town of Boston : — 

Gentlemen, — Whoever has attentively considered the 
geography and territorial extent of the town of Boston, 
which, within its utmost limits, embraces but eleven 
hundred acres, must be convinced that the present 
boundaries are too scanty to admit the erection of a large 
capital, subject to the same municipal jurisdiction ; and 
from its present flourishing condition, that the period 
has arrived, when sound policy points to the expediency 
of making provisions for surmounting this disadvantage. 

The central situation of this town, now become a 
county : the security, beauty and convenience of its 
harbor, placed at the bottom of one of the fairest and 
most important Bays within the dominions of the United 
States, conspire to raise it to tiie head of all the com- 
mercial towns of Massachusetts ; and whilst it is fast 
progressing to the distinction of being the Emporium of 
the five Eastern States, common prudence and judicious 
enterprise must forever secure to it this enviable advan- 
ta-ge. 



280 APPENDIX. 

The rapid increase of her population, the various 
avenues now opening, the shortening the distances and 
improving the roads leading from the principal inland 
towns and neighboring sea-ports ; her inestimable for- 
eign commerce, combined with an extensive coasting' 
trade, both annually augmenting and rousing the ener- 
gies of her citizens, will soon imperiously require an en- 
largement of the boundaries with which this metropolis 
is now circumscribed. 

The adjacent towns of Eoxbury, Cambridge and 
Charlestown cannot be supposed to consent to surren- 
der the most valuable portions of either of their respec- 
tive townships, and the seats of their busiest population, 
to effect this purpose, great as it assuredly is in a na- 
tional view. But on the southerly quarter of the town, 
and most advantageously extending upwards of two 
miles along the port, lies a tract of land almost unin- 
habited, and comparatively useless ; comprising five 
hundred and sixty acres, which, if united to Boston, 
would give that town a superiority which no other capi- 
tal. New York excepted, can boast of. This peninsula, 
bounded by the harbor, which it so much contributes to 
adorn, exhibits such a variety of ground, and excel- 
lence of location, as to fully answer the purposes con- 
templated. 

The flats, which at present separate it from the south- 
erly side of the town, admit of their being easily bridg- 
ed, and the communication might in a few months be 
completed at an expense insignificant when contrasted 
with the important benefits necessarily resulting from 
the project. And when to this statement it is added, 
that the three avenues leading into Boston have become 
such crowded streets as to be extremely inconvenient, 
and oftentimes hazardous, from the numerous carriages 
of every description that hourly frequent them ; it will 
be admitted that the opening of a new passage through 
the least busy part of the Town, and thereby creating 
an easy, pleasant, and short intercourse with the coun- 
try, is an object worthy of the public attention, happily 



APPENDIX. 281 

conducing to promote the health, by the exercise and 
j;elaxation of her numerous citizens. 

The totally unincumbered part of this isolated district 
of land, lying at the distance of eight hundred and eighty- 
four yards, and on the side of its nearest approach only 
six hundred yards, admits of executing a Plan, when- 
ever it shall be thought eligible, of another section of 
Boston, in which regular and wide streets and symme- 
try in the buildings, favored with air and aspect, might 
combine their elfects in gradually raising a most desira- 
ble circle of suburbs. While the present town would 
always continue the great focus of business, this quar- 
ter of it could provide for the surplus of population, and 
furnish the inhabitants with suitable sites for houses and 
other buildings, at prices greatly beneath those in the 
Town, which have at length become exorbitant, and 
consequently detrimental to an increase of new citizens, 
and discouraging to those arts upon which such an in- 
finite variety of trades are dependent. 

Impressed with these motives, and with a view to 
reciprocate advantages, we pray you. Gentlemen, to 
take the opinion of the inhabitants at large of the town 
of Boston, upon the subject of this memorial ; and upon 
the merits of which we invite their candid discussion, 
and to assure them that we shall and do cheerfully con- 
sent to the annexation of all our lands lying upon the 
peninsula aforesaid, to the town of Boston, upon the 
single condition that the inhabitants will procure a 
Bridge to be erected between Boston and Dorchester 
Neck ; and as evidence of this our consent, we here- 
with transmit to you a copy of our petition to the Legis- 
lature of the Commonwealth, to enable us to carry this 
our purpose into immediate and complete effect. 

We are, with sentiments of great respect. Gentlemen, 
your faithful, humble servants, &c. 

[Signed by William Tudor, Gardiner Greene, and 
other Proprietors of Lands at Dorchester Neck.] 

24^ 



282 APPENDIX. 

C. (Page 11.) 
Bill annexing Dorchester Neck to Boston. 

Sect. 1. — Be it enacted by the Senate and House of 
Bejyi'eseiitatives, in General Court assembled, and by the 
authority of the same, That that part of Dorchester lying 
north-east of the following lines, Beginning at a stake 
and stones at Old Harbor, so called, from the south- 
west corner of land formerly belonging to John Champ- 
ney, running north thirty-seven and one half degrees 
west, to a large elm tree, marked D on the south-west 
side, and B on the north-east side, standing on land 
belonging to the heirs of Thomas Bird, deceased; then 
running the same course to a heap of stones, on the 
south-west side of the road ; thence across the road, 
the same course, to a heap of stones on the north-west 
side ; thence on the same course, to a black oak tree, 
standing on a small hammock, marked D on one side 
and B on the other side, upon land of Ebenezer Clap, 
jun. ; thence the same course till it comes to Boston 
harbor, with the inhabitants thereon, be, and they hereby 
are annexed to the town of Boston, in the County of 
Suffolk ; and shall hereafter be considered and deemed 
to be a part of Boston : Provided, That the said tract 
of land, and the inhabitants thereon, set off as afore- 
said, shall be holden to pay all such taxes as are already 
assessed, or ordered to be assessed by said town of 
Dorchester, in the same manner as they would have 
been if this Act had not been passed. 

Sect. 2. — And be it further enacted, That the Proprie- 
tors of said tract shall assign and set apart three lots of 
land on the same for public use, viz., one lot for the 
purpose of a j^ublic market-place, one lot for a school- 
house, and one lot for a burial-ground, to the satisfac- 
tion and acceptance of the Selectmen of Boston ; or in 
case the said Selectmen and Proprietors shall not agree 
upon the said lots, it shall be lawful for the Supreme 
Judicial Court, at any session thereof in the said county 
of Suffolk, upon application of said Selectmen, to nomi- 



APPENDIX. ^83 

nate three disinterested freeholders within the Common- 
wealth, and not inhabitants of the said town of Boston, 
to assign and set ofi" the three lots aforesaid by metes 
and bounds ; and the report of the said freeholders, or 
any two of them, being made and returned to, and ac- 
cepted by the said Court at any session thereof in said 
county, shall be final and binding upon all parties : and 
the lots of land by them assigned and set off as afore- 
said, shall thenceforth rest in the said town of Boston 
forever, without any compensation to be made therefor 
by the town ; but if the person or persons whose lands 
shall be assigned and set apart as aforesaid, shall de- 
mand compensation therefor, the same shall be appraised 
by three freeholders, to be appointed as aforesaid, who 
shall also assess upon the other proprietors the sum or 
sums which each shall be holden to pay to the person 
whose lands may be thus assigned for public use : and 
the report of said freeholders, or any two of them, being 
made and returned to, and accepted by said Court, judg- 
ment thereon shall be final, and execution awarded, as 
in cases of reports by referees under a rule of Court. 

Sect 3. — And be it further enacted, That the Select- 
men of the said town shall be and hereby are authorized 
to lay out such streets and lanes through the said tract, 
as in their judgment may be for the common benefit of 
said Proprietors, and of said town of Boston, a reasona- 
ble attention being paid to the wishes of the Proprietors ; 
and in case of disagreement between the Selectmen and 
Proprietors, or either of them, the same proceedings 
shall be had as are provided by law in other cases for 
laying out town ways : Provided only, That no damages 
or compensation shall be allowed to any Proprietor for 
such streets and lanes as may be laid out within twelve 
months from the passing of this Act : And 2^'>^ovided 
also. That the town of Boston shall not be obliged to 
complete the streets laid out by the Selectmen pursuant 
to this Act, sooner than they may deem it expedient so 
to do. 



284 APPENDIX. 

D. (Page 80.) 
Land owned by Mr. Gould — The Foster Estate. 

Besides the reference, on page 80, to the large amount 
of real estate held by Abraham Gould at Dorchester 
Neck, at the time of its annexation to Boston, allusion 
is also made, on pages 247 and 251, to extensive tracts 
of land held by him, partly inherited by his wife from 
the Fosters, and partly belonging to him by purchase. 
A plan is now before us, of " a piece of pasture, mowing 
and salt marsh,'' containing 24 acres, belonging to Dr. 
Stephen Foster and Mr. Gould in 1788. This lot is 
bounded south-easterly about 24 rods by the ''road 
leading to Castle William," now Dorchester street ; south- 
westerly 67 rods by land of Mr. Gould ; north-westerly 
64 rods to the sea, by widow Foster's land, the house 
itself coming just on the widow's side ; northerly 
36 rods by the sea or Boston harbor ; and north-easterly 
76 rods by land of Oliver Wiswall, a cart path running 
the whole length of this last line from the sea to Dor- 
chester street. Another plan, still later, comprises two 
lots adjoining each other, owned by Mr. Gould alone — 
one of about 29 acres, and the other about 23 acres. 
This plan included the first-named piece, and extended, 
east and west, from Dorchester street to D street, and, 
north and south, from the beach to Nook lane. He also 
owned land east of Dorchester street, and near the 
Hawes Place Church. Most of these extensive tracts 
of land passed out of Mr. Gould's hands before his 
death, some of them being sold for house-lots at greatly 
advanced prices. 

On pages 31, 32, 33 and 67, the Foster house, which 
stood on land eventually owned by Mr. Gould, is spoken 
of, and described as the most elegantly furnished one 
on the Neck. By a plan drawn in 1749, it appears that 
this was a two-story house. After its destruction by 
the British in 1776, a one-story house was erected on 
its site, as shown by plans drawn in 1788. This latter 
house, with the land around it, came into Mr. Gould's 



APPENDIX. 285 

possession about the year 1803. It was probably occu- 
pied by him before this, but very soon after he built 
and moved into the brick house on the vilest, near by, 
now adjoining the Bigelow School-house and owned by 
Mr. W. W. Allen. The Foster house was afterwards 
kept by a Mr. Ilealy, as a hotel, to which a bowling 
alley was attached, and this was for several years a 
fashionable afternoon resort for some of the then " solid 
men of Boston." One or more of our present no less 
substantial citizens can remember setting up nine-pins, 
when boys, in this place. The house itself, though 
not very old, went to decay, and was taken down 
about the year 1830. When the first part of this work 
was written, the cellar was to be seen, with two 
ancient elms spreading forth the same branches which 
had atlbrded a summer shade to several generations of 
the Foster family. These were on the lot near the 
easterly corner of E and Fourth streets, now occupied 
by the elegant residence of Francis Maguire, and the 
two handsome dwelling-houses of the Messrs. Fisk. 
The house was about half way between Fourth and 
Silver streets, and the barn 12 rods north of it, on a spot 
now near the centre of Broadway, in front of the 
present Lyceum Hall. This was the barn, it will be 
recollected, in which Mrs. Foster's hired man, in 17*73, 
concealed the tea clandestinely gathered from the sea- 
shore after the memorable throwing over-board of that 
article in Boston harbor. Two or three rods south-east 
of the house, where the Thacher house now stands, was 
the unsheltered well, with its wooden curb and windlass, 
and, doubtless, its ''old oaken bucket" attached. 

On the plan drawn by the British General at the be- 
ginning of the Revolutionary war, which has been 
copied for this work, the Foster house is represented as 
directly on Nook lane. But several ancient plans of 
land belonging to this estate, show that the gate lead- 
ing to the house was on the lane, but the house itself 
was 24 rods from it. A pathway led from the gate, 
north-easterly, the above distance, to the house. This 



286 APPENDIX. 

gate must have been at a spot now on the southerly side 
of Fifth street, in a south-western direction from the 
house. No fences are represented around the house on 
the plans drawn in 1788. The "yard-room," as it may 
have been called, was therefore ample, and is now occu- 
pied by more houses than were contained in all Matta- 
pannock at the time of its annexation to Boston. 

The lane alluded to, sometimes called " the waj^," 
and sometimes, in the plans, a " Lane Leeding to Nuke," 
branched off from the Causeway, or Dorchester street, 
a little south of the present corner of Seventh street. 
In 1803, it seems to have run at first nearly in a north- 
erly direction, till within 15 or 20 rods of the gate 
to the Foster house, when it took a more westerly 
course, and extended — not however in a very direct 
line — to the vicinity of Nook hill, or near the present 
corner of Fourth and B streets — and passing thence 
south of Fourth street to A street. Nook lane formed 
the south-western boundary of many acres of land then 
belonging to Mr. Gould. 

Various members of the Foster family have at differ- 
ent times owned land in other parts of the place, some of 
which never came into the possession of Mr. Gould. 
James Foster, in 1694, purchased of the other heirs of 
Hopestill, their right in a twelve-acre piece of upland 
on the southerly side of the " highway leading towards 
Castle Island," for which he paid them ''fforty pounds 
currant money of New England." The deed of convey- 
ance in this sale is now in a good state of preservation, 
and is quite a curiosity. It is written lengthwise on a 
piece of parchment 29 inches long and 11 J wide, the 
lines extending nearly the whole length and perfectly 
straight and uniform. It is a most beautiful piece of 
penmanship, and is ornamented with flourishes and the 
usual display of German-text words. It contains the 
signatures of Edward Brown, shopkeeper, and Elizabeth 
his wife (formerly wife of Hopestill Foster, deceased) ; 
Hopestill Foster, gun maker ; Samuel Foster, goldsmith ; 
Timothy Nash, merchant, and Mary his wife (one of the 



APPENDIX. 28T 

daughters of Ilopestill) ; and Elizabeth Foster, spinster. 
The seals affixed to the names are of red sealing-wax, 
on each of which is impressed a different design. These 
are secured by melted wax to separate strips of parch- 
ment, which are firmly looped in to the bottom of the 
deed — and each name is written on the deed by the 
side of its loop and seal. The witnesses' names and 
the acknowledgments are on the back, where is also 
written, in the same style as inside, " Ehizir Moody, 
Scr:". It would seem that there were trees and bushes 
then growing here, as it is stated in this deed, in the 
elaborate and precise style of the time, that the grant- 
ors " by these presents doe ffully, freely, clearly and 
absolutely give, grant, bargaine, sell, alien, enfeoffe, 
release, convey and confirm, unto the said James 
Foster," &c., the land alluded to, "from henceforth 
and forevermore," ''together with all and singular the 
trees, timber, wood and underwood standing, lyeing 
and growing thereon.'' We are also informed, on good 
authority, that a lady who died in Milton about eighteen 
years ago, at the age of 96, used to tell of picking 
"huckleberries" at Dorchester Neck, when a child, 
and of finding the largest ones there she had ever seen.* 



* The same lady, who was a Imeal descendant of Major- General 
Humphrey Atherton, whose monument and inscription in the old 
Dorchester burying-ground have been objects of interest for nearly 
two hundred years, was in the habit of relating the following account 
of an occurrence somewhat connected with our peninsula. Her 
grandfather's house, in Dorchester, was probably the one in which 
the General lived, and was situated near what is now the south- 
erly corner of Dorchester avenue and Pond street. Here she fre- 
quently visited. On rising, one morning, her grandfather saw a bear 
under the trees near the house, eating pears. He immediately called 
the nearest neighbors, who came with their guns and dogs. The 
latter at once attacked the bear, who retreated across the land 
connected with the Moseley homestead, to the marsh below it and to 
the salt water — the men being unable to fire at him without endan- 
gering the dogs. He was driven into the bay, and swam tOAvards 
Little Neck, the dogs not following him further. The bear was 
now fired upon and wounded, and with difficulty reached the opposite 
South Boston shore. The men were soon on the spot, and found 



28S APPENDIX. 

It may likewise be added that Deacon John Clapp, of 
Roxbury, once found a wild duck's nest among the 
bushes on a little hammock a few rods south-east of the 
present iron foundries on Dorchester Avenue. This 
was probably about the time alluded to by the late Mr. 
Samuel Adams, the wire-cage maker, when he said in 
Faneuil Hall that he remembered when South Boston 
was a howling wilderness 1 

In 1705, Standfast Foster conveyed to his brother 
James his right in 8 acres of salt marsh at Dorchester 
Neck, lying, as the deed expresses it, '' on the west- 
ward side of the aforesaid Neck.'' It was bounded on 
the "westerly side with the sea, easterly with a Creeck 
that run up towards the quarry and partly with the 
medow of s^ Standfast Foster called the quarry medow, 
northerly with the medow or marsh of John and Preserv- 
ed Capen, and southerly with a Creeck." 



E. (Page 84.) 

Act in part Authorizing the Erection of the Boston 
South Bridge. 

Sect. 1. — Be it enacted by the Senate and House of 
Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the 
authority of the same, That William Tudor, Gardiner 
Greene, Jonathan Mason, and Harrison Gray Otis, Es- 
quires, so long as they shall continue proprietors as 
aforesaid, together with those who are, and shall be- 
come their associates, shall be a Corporation and Body 
Politic, under the name of The Proprietors of the Boston 
South Bridge ; and by that name may sue and prosecute, 



him nearly exhausted with loss of blood ; he was easily despatched, 
and the carcass carried home in triumph. Before night the bear 
was cooked, and an entertainment given in the evening, to Avhich all 
the neighbors were invited. This story has been handed down in 
one branch of the family with such minuteness, that it is even told 
which of the ladies relished the bear's meat, and which were unable 
to eat it. 



APPENDIX. 289 

and be/ sued and prosecuted to final judgment and exe- 
cution, and do and suffer all other acts and things, which 
Bodies Politic may or ouglit to do and suffer ; and that 
said Corporation shall have full power and authority to 
make, have and use a common seal, and the same to 
break, alter and renew at pleasure. 

Sect. 3. — And be it further enacted , That fortlie purpose 
of reimbursing the said Proprietors of the said Bridge, 
the money to be expended in building and supporting 
the same, and of indemnifying them, a toll be, and here- 
by is granted and established for the benefit of said Cor- 
poration, according to the rates following, viz. — For 
each single horse cart, sled or sleigh, six cents; one per- 
son and horse, /bwr cents ; each wheelbarrow, handcart, 
and every other vehicle capable of carrying like weight, 
two cents ; each single horse and chaise, chair, or sulkey, 
twelve cents ; coaches, chariots, phgetons and curricles, 
seventeen cents each ; all other wheel carriages, or sleds, 
drawn by more than one beast, eight cents each ; neat 
cattle or horses passing over said Bridge, exclusive of 
those rode or in carriages or teams, two cents each ; 
swine and sheep, six cents for each dozen, and at the 
same rate for a greater or less number ; and in all cases 
the same toll shall be paid for all carriages passing said 
Bridge, whether the same be loaded or not loaded ; and 
to each team one man and no more shall be allowed, as 
a driver, to pass free from, paying toll ; and at all times, 
when the toll-gatherer shall not attend to his duty, the gate 
or gates shall be left open ; and the said toll shall 
commence at the day of the first opening of the 
said Bridge for passengers, and shall continue for 
and during the term of seventy years from the said 
day, and be collected as shall be prescribed by the said 
Corporation. 

Sect. 4. — And be it further enacted, That the said 
Bridge shall be built of good and sufficient materials, 
not less than forty feet wide, and well covered witli 
plank or timber, suitable for such a Bridge, with suffi- 
cient rails on each side for the safety of travellers and. 



290 APPENDIX. 

protection of foot passengers ; and the said Bridge shall 
be kept accommodated with not less than twenty lamps, 
which shall be well supplied with oil, and lighted in due 
season, and kept burning until midnight ; and there 
shall also be made a good and sufficient draw or passage- 
way, at least thirty feet wide in the channel over which 
said Bridge shall be built, proper for the passing and 
re-passing of vessels, through which vessels may pass 
free of toll ; and shall also erect at said draw, and main- 
tain in good repair, a well-constmcted and substantial 
pier or wharf on each side of the said Bridge and ad- 
joining to the draw, every way sufficient for vessels to 
lie at securely ; and the said draw shall be lifted for all 
vessels without delay and without toll, except for boats 
passing for pleasure ; and it shall be lawful for the Pro- 
prietors of said Bridge to make the leaves of said draw 
twenty feet long instead of the width of said Bridge ; 
and the said Bridge shall be kept in good, safe and pass- 
able repair for the term of seventy years, to be comput- 
ed as aforesaid, and at the expiration of said tenn, shall 
be surrendered in hke repair to the Commonwealth, who 
shall be deemed the successor of said Corporation ; and 
at the several places where the said toll shall be 
received, there shall be erected by the said Cor- 
poration, and exposed to open view constantly, a 
board or sign, with the rates of toll and all the tollable 
articles fairly and legibly written thereon in large or 
capital letters. 

Sect. 5. — And be it further enacted, That the Proprie- 
tors of said Bridge shall pay to the Master of every 
vessel that shall be loaded and of more than twenty tons 
register measure that shall pass through said draw, for 
the purpose of unloading her cargo, five cents a ton for 
each and every ton said vessel shall measure, and the 
like sum of five cents a ton to the Master of each and 
every vessel of more than twenty tons burthen that 
shall pass down and through said draw, loaded, on her 
outward passage. Provided, however, that the same 
vessel passing up and down, though loaded, shall not 



APPENDIX. 291 

be paid for more than one passage. And it shall be 
lawful, at any period after three years from the passing 
of this act, for the Proprietors of said Bridge or the Di- 
rectors of the Roxbury Canal, to make application to 
the Governor, who, with the advice of Council, is here- 
by authorized, upon such application in writing, desiring 
that a revision of such premium of five cents as aforesaid, 
may be made, to appoint three impartial men to hear 
the parties, examine the premises, and increase or di- 
minish said premium of five cents as they shall think 
just ; and their award, signed by them or the major 
part of them, sealed, and certified to the Governor, and 
by him published, shall be binding upon all parties, and 
shall be the sum in future to be paid ; — And in like 
manner and by similar application and process, the same 
premium may be increased or diminished at the expira- 
tion of every five years, successively, during the term 
aforesaid. 

Sect. 7. — And he it further enacted, That if the said 
Corporation shall refuse or neglect, for the space of three 
years after the passing of this Act, to build and Com- 
plete the said Bridge, then this Act shall be void and of 
none effect. 

Sect. 8. — Be it farther enacted, That in case the Pro- 
prietors of said Bridge or any Toll-gatherer, or officer 
by them appointed, shall neglect or refuse to open the 
draw, or unnecessarily detain any vessel about to pass, 
the said Corporation shall forfeit and pay for every such 
refusal, neglect, or unreasonable detention, a sum not 
exceeding ^/((^^ dollars, nor less than twenty dollars, to be 
recovered by the owner or owners of such vessels in 
any Court proper to try the same, by a special action 
on the case. 

In the House of Representatives, 

Ilarch 5, 1804. 

This bill, having had ^hree several readings, passed 
to be enacted. 

H. G. OTIS, Speaker. 



292 APPENDIX. 

In the Senale, March 6, 1804. 
This bill, liaviDg had two several readings, passed to 
be enacted. 

DAVID COBB, President. 

March 6, 1804 — Bji the Governor Approved. 

CALEB STRONG. 



A true copy — Attest, 



JOHN AVERY, Sec'ij. 



The fifth Section was intended to remunerate the citi- 
zens of Roxbmy for the damage which it was supposed 
would result to them from the building of the bridge. 



F. (Page 94.) 

An Act Establishing a Free Bridge in the City 
or Boston. 

Sect. 1. — Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Re- 
presentatives, in General Court assembled, and by the au- 
thority of the same. That the City Government of the 
City of Boston are hereby authorized and empowered 
to build and construct, or cause to be built and con- 
structed, a Free Bridge, with one or more suitable and 
sufficient draws across the Avater and over the channel, 
in or near a direction in a straight line from or near Sea 
street, in Boston, to the newly made land in South 
Boston, and nearly in the direction of the Dorchester 
Turnpike, and to erect a Wharf, or Pier, on each 
side of said Bridg^e near said draws, for the accommoda- 
tion of vessels passing through said Bridge ; said Bridge 
and Wharves to be built upon such terms and condi- 
tions, and under such restrictions and regulations, as to 
them may appear suitable and proper, and in such man- 
ner as to cause no material obstruction to the ebb and 
flow of the water through and i^ider the same. Provid- 
ed, hoioever, That the said City of Boston shall be held 
to make compensation to any person or Corporation 



Al'PENDIX. 293 

whoso land shall be appropriated to the use of said 
Bridge, and also to any person or Corporation who may 
sustain damage by tlie obstruction of navigation, caused 
by the erection of said Bridge. 

Sect. 2.— Be it further enacted, That no toll or duty shall 
ever be exacted or paid for any travel over said Bridge, 
or passing the draws of the same, and the said City shall 
always be held liable to keep said Bridge and draw in good 
repair, and to raise the draw of said Bridge, and afford all 
necessary and proper accommodation to vessels that have 
occasion to pass the same by night or by day, and shall 
keep the said Bridge sufficiently lighted ; and if any 
vessel is unreasonably delaj^ed or hindered in passing 
■said draw, by the negligence of said City, or of their 
agents, in discharging the duties enjoined on them by 
this Act, the owners or commander of such vessel shall 
recover reasonable damages therefor of said City, in an 
action on the case, before any Court proper to try the 
same, which action shall be commenced, heard and tried, 
in either ef the Counties of Middlesex or Essex ; 
and if the said City shall not, within three years from 
the passing of this Act, locate, construct, build and 
•complete said Bridge, agreeably to the provisions of 
this Act, then this Act shall be void. 

Sect. 3. — Be it further enacted, That any person or 
Oorporation sustaining any damage by the building of 
said Bridge, Wharves, or Piers, or from the exercise of 
any of the rights or powers hereby granted as aforesaid, 
may appl}^ (if within one 3^0 ar from the time any such 
damage may have happened) to the Court of Common 
Pleas, within either of the Counties of Middlesex or 
Essex, for a Committee to be appointed to estimate 
the damage ; and upon such application the Court, after 
thirty days' notice, to said City to appear and show cause 
why such Committee should not be appointed, shall, if no 
good cause be shown to the -contrary, appoint 3 or 5 
disinterested freeholders, within the County in which 
such application shall have been made, at the expense of 
«aid City, which Committee, being first duly sworn be- 
25^ 



294 APPENDIX. 

fore some Justice of the Peace, to be nominated by said 
Court, and giving due notice to both parties to appear, 
if they see fit, for a hearing before them, shall proceed 
to the duties of their appointment ; and they shall first 
inquire whether any damage has been sustained from 
the causes aforesaid, and if any, they shall estimate the 
same, and where the damage is annual, they shall so 
declare the same, in their report, and shall make return 
of their doings as soon as may be into the said Court ; 
and upon the acceptance of said report, judgment may 
be given thereon, with reasonable costs to the party 
prevailing'. Provided, lioioever, That either party, after 
the return of said report, may claim a trial by jury, and 
the Court shall thereupon stay judgment on said report;, 
and trial shall be had by jury at the bar of said Court ; 
and if the party appljang for a jur^^ shall not obtain, in 
case it be the original applicant, an increase of damag'es, 
or in case it be the original respondent, a decrease of 
the damages awarded by^ the Committee, such party 
shall pay reasonable costs of such trial by jury, other- 
wise shall recover reasonable costs ; and upon any 
judgment rendered upon the report of such Committee, 
or the verdict of such jury, the Court may issue its e:s:- 
ecution accordingly, and also fi'om year to year, where 
the damages awarded are annual, on motion of the party 
entitled thereto; and an action of debt may be main- 
tained on such judgment; and if upon notice to such 
City as aforesaid, to show cause why such Committee 
should not be appointed, said City shall appear and deny 
the applicant's title to the land damaged, or claim a title 
to do what is comiDlained of without the payment of 
damages, or for an ag-reed composition, the Court shall 
first order a trial of the issue at the bar of said Court, 
or if there be an issue in law, shall try it themselves, 
and in either case, cither party may appeal to the Su- 
preme Judicial Court as in other cases, and a certificate 
of the determination of the Sup. Jud. Court, on such 
appeal, in favor of the original applicant, shall be filed 
in said Court of Common Pleas, before such Committee 



A¥L>mmx. 295 

shall be appointed ; and where annual damag;es are 
awarded by said Committee, or said jury, and judgment 
had accordingly, each party shall be entitled, after two 
years, to apply to said Court of Common Pleas, for an 
increase or decrease of said damages, and thereupon the 
same proceedings shall be had as upon the original- ap- 
plication. 
[Approved by the Lt. Governor, February 25, 1825.] 



G, (Page 15*r.) 
Extracts from the Will of John Hawes. 
''I give and bequeath unto the said James Humphries, 
Henry Gardner, and Ebenezer Everett, or such of them 
as may be living at my decease, a lot of land situated at 
South Boston, containing about eight acres, inclusive 
of the roads laid out through the same, on which my 
dwelling-house now stands ; upon specispl trust and con- 
fidence that they cause the same to be secured and ap- 
plied to the following purposes, viz. : For the use of 
all such persons as shall hereafter reside at said South 
Boston ; that is to say, one half or moiety of the income 
and proceeds of said lot of land to be appropriated and 
applied forever by the said trustees, their associates and 
successors, to the support and maintenance of the gos- 
pel ministry, of the Congregational denomination, in and 
over the first Christian Church and Society of the same 
denomination, which may be formed, incorporated, and 
legally org'anized in said South Boston ; and which said 
Church and Society shall congregate and worship in a 
house to be erected on a lot of land which I have appro- 
priated to the use of the gospel ministry, and given by 
deed, bearing date of June 13, 1807, to the inhabitants 
of said South Boston, for said use. And the other half 
and moiety of the income and proceeds of said lot of 
land, as aforesaid devised, to be appropriated and ap- 
plied forever, by the aforesaid trustees, their associates 
and successors, for the purpose of establishing and sup- 



296 APPENDIX. 

porting public schools in said South Boston, in such way 
and manner as in the opinion of said trustees shall most 
tend to the benefit and advantage of the inhabitants of 
the said South Boston." 

Sect. 23. " I furthermore give and devise to the said 
Humphries, Gardner, and Everett, or such of them as 
shall be living at my decease, the land which I have 
lately purchased of William Fiske, with the two dwell* 
ing-houses, two Workshops, and other buildings on the 
same standing, situated at the south part of Boston, 
near the Boston line on Boston Neck, so called, toge- 
ther with all the rest, residue, o.nd remainder of my real 
estate, of every description, upon special trust and con- 
fidence that they cause the income and proceeds of the 
premises to be disposed of and appropriated as follows, 
viz. : 

'' First— To discharge such of my debts and legacies 
as my personal estate may be insufficient to pay. Se- 
condly—To be ^applied in the altering, repairing and im- 
provement of the premises in such way and manner as 
the said devisees shall think most for the advantage of 
the same. Thirdly — To be appropriated to the use and 
purposes enumerated in the twenty-second clause of this 
Instrument, until the income of the same, and the in- 
come and proceeds of the estate in said twenty-second 
clause devised, shall have so increased and accumulated, 
as in the opinion of the said devisees, their associates 
and successors aforesaid, to answer all the purposes by 
me intended, as before described. And lastly— From 
and after that period the net income of the premises and 
improvements of the same shall be, by the said trustees, 
their associates and successors aforesaid, applied to the 
establishment of a second Congregational Church and 
Society, in said South Boston, at such place as the 
said trustees, their associates and successors, shall name 
and appoint ; to the settlement and support of a pious 
Christian minister or ministers, over the same ; and for 
erecting and maintaining a house of public worship for 
the same ; and for the support and encouragement of such 



APPENDIX. 297 

other seminaries of learning, and in such way and man- 
ner, as the said trustees, their associates and successors, 
shall think for the honor of God and the good and happi- 
ness of the inhabitants of South Boston aforesaid, and 
their posterity." 

Sect. 24. "As to all the residue of my personal es- 
tate, of every description, I do hereby give and bequeath 
the same to the said Humphries, Gardner and Everett, 
or such of them as shall be living at my decease, to be, 
after the payment of my just debts and legacies, applied 
and appropriated by the said legatees, their associates 
and successors, to the purpose of erecting and maintain- 
ing a meeting-house for relig-ious worship, on the land 
above referred to in this instrument, as already given by 
deed to the inhabitants of South Boston. But in case a 
meeting-house should be built on said land before my 
decease, then the said Humphries, Gardner and Everett, 
the survivor or survivors as aforesaid, their associates 
and successors, shall apply said residue (Tf my personal 
estate for the support and maintenance of such gospel 
minister, or ministers, of the Congregational denomina- 
tion, as may be settled in and over the church and soci- 
ety, that shall worship in said house. 



H. (Page 193.) 
Instruction of Laura Bridgman. 

Although an account has been given of the peculiar 
condition of Laura Bridgman, and of the causes which in 
her childhood led to the loss of several of her senses, 
the reader may be interested in the following abridged 
statement, by Dr. Howe, of the method adopted in teach- 
ing her to read and to communicate her own thoughts 
to others: 

" For a while after she came to the institution she 
was much bewildered ; and after waiting about two 
weeks, until she became acquainted with her new locali- 
ty, and somewhat familiar with the inmates, the at- 



298 APPENDIX. 

tempt was made to give her knowledge of arbitrary 
signs, by which she could interchange thoughts with 
others. 

"There was one of two ways to be adopted: either 
to go on to build up a language of signs on the basis of 
the natural language which she had ah-eady commenced 
herself, or to teach her the purely arbitrary language in 
common use : that is, to give her a sign for every indi- 
vidual thing, or to give her a knowledge of letters, by 
combination of which, she might express her idea of the 
existence, and the mode and condition of existence of 
any thing. The former would have been easy, but very 
ineffectual ; the latter seemed very difficult, but, if ac- 
complished, very effectual. I determined therefore to 
try the latter. 

"The first experiments were made by taking articles 
in common use, such as knives, forks, spoons, keys, 
&c., and pasting upon them labels with their names 
printed in raised letters. These she felt very carefully, 
and soon, of course, distinguished that the crooked lines 
s 2^ n , differed as much from the crooked lines k e y, 
as the spoon differed from the key in form. 

" Then small detached labels, with the same words 
printed upon them, were put into her hands ; and she 
soon observed that they were similar to the ones pasted 
on the articles. She showed her perception of this simi- 
larity by laying the label key upon the key, and the 
label s^ n upon the spoon. She was encouraged 
here by the natural sign of approbation, patting on the 
head. 

" The same process was then repeated with all the ar- 
ticles which she could handle ; and she very easily learn- 
ed to place the proper labels upon them. It was evi- 
dent, however, that the only intellectual exercise, was 
that of imitation and memory. She recollected that the 
label book was placed upon a book, and she repeated 
the process first from imitation, next from memory, 
with only the motive of love of approbation, but appa- 
rently without the intellectual perception of any x^elation 
between the things. 



APPENDIX. 299 

" After a while, instead of labels, the individual let- 
ters were given to her on detached bits of paper : they 
were arranged side by side so as to spell hook, he y, 
&c. ; then they were mixed up in a heap, and a sign 
was made for her to arrange them herself, so as to ex- 
press the words book, key, &c. ; and she did so. 

" Hitherto, the process had been mechanical, and the 
success about as great as teaching a very knowing dog 
a variety of tricks. The poor child had sat in mute 
amazement, and patiently imitated every thing her 
teacher did ; but now the truth began to flash upon her ; 
her intellect began to work : she perceived that here 
was a way by which she could herself make up a sign 
of anything that was in her own mind, and show it to 
another mind ; and at once her countenance lighted up 
with a human expression. It was no longer a dog, or 
parrot : it was an immortal spirit, eagerly seizing upon 
a new link of union with other spirits ! I could almost 
fix upon the moment when this truth dawned upon her 
mind, and spread its light to her countenance. I saw 
that the great obstacle was overcome ; and that hence- 
forward nothing but patient and persevering, but plain 
and straightforward, efibrts were to be used. 

" The result, thus far, is quickly related, and easily 
conceived : but not so was the process ; for many weeks 
of apparently unprofitable labor were passed before it 
was effected. 

" When it was said above, that a sign was made, it 
was intended to say, that the action was performed by 
her teacher, she feeling his hands, and then imitating 
the motion. 

"The next step was to procure a set of metal types, 
with the different letters of the alphabet cast upon their 
ends ; also a board, in which were square holes, into 
which holes she could set the types ; so that the letters 
on their ends could alone be felt above the surface. 

''Then, on any article being handed to her — for in- 
stance, a pencil, or a watch — she would select the com- 
ponent letters, and arrange them on her board, and read 
them with apparent pleasure. 



300 APPENDIX. 

''She was exercised for several weeks in this way, 
until her vocabulary became extensive ; and then the 
important step was taken of teaching her how to repre- 
sent the different letters by the position of her fingers, 
instead of the cumbrous apparatus of the board and 
types. She accomplished this speedily and easily, for 
her intellect had begun to work in aid of her teacher, 
and her progress was rapid." 



I. (Page 200.) 

South Boston Memorial, in 1847. 

To his Honor the Mayor, the Aldermen, and the Common 
Council of the City of Boston : 

The undersigned, members of a Committee appointed 
by a public meeting of the inhabitants of Ward 12, ask 
leave respectfully to represent : 

That the Peninsula, formerly called Dorchester Neck, 
and now called South Boston, contains a population of 
12,000, which is rapidly increasing in numbers and in 
wealth, and which, judging the future by the past, will 
reach 30,000 in ten years, and 100,000 in twenty-five 
years : 

That it has eight Churches, two Grammar and seven- 
teen Primary Schools, besides Private Seminaries ; a 
Lyceum, Bank, and Insurance Office ; also Wharves, 
Ship Yards, Factories, Foundries, &c. : 

That it has real and personal property valued at six 
million dollars, upon which was paid the last year a tax 
of thirty-one thousand dollars ; and which is estimated 
at forty thousand dollars for the current j^ear : 

That it has a superficial area nearly as great as was 
that of the old town of Boston : 

That it has not only the capacity, but the actual 
material necessary for a separate and independent muni- 
cipal existence : 

That it has no natural connection with, much less any 
necessary dependence upon, the City of Boston, being 
separated from it by a deep and navigable channel : 



APPENDIX. 301 

That its municipal union with the city is merely 
arbitrary and political, for the continuance of which 
there can be no good reason except recijjrocity of 
advantages : 

That heretofore most of the advantages of the union 
have been reaped by the City proper, while the disad- 
vantages have fallen upon South Boston : 

That it has paid a considerable portion of the City 
taxes, such as those for widening, paving and lighting 
the streets, without anything like an adequate return of 
benefits from the City expenditures : 

That it seems to have been considered, as foreign 
possessions are too frequently considered, a convenient 
appendage from which the central government might 
derive profit in various ways : 

That it has sometimes been treated as the Botany 
Bay of the City, into which could be thrust those 
establishments which the City Fathers would consider 
nuisances in the neighborhood of their own i3rivate 
dwellings, such as Alms Houses, Prisons, and Small-pox 
Hospitals : 

That several measures of great public importance are 
now and long have been called for, which the City goA'- 
ernment will not allow the inhabitants of South Boston 
to adopt, and which it neglects to adopt itself, such as 
opening streets and establishing official "levels'' for- 
bnil dings : 

That justice to the present and to the future inhabi- - 
tants of this beautiful peninsula, demands that there • 
should be a change either in its municipal relation with 
the City of Boston proper, or in the policy which has 
hitherto characterised that relation. 

In support of which representations, we would re-- 
spectfuUy ask your attention to the facts and considera-- 
tions set forth in the following 

MEMORIAL. 

This peninsula, equal in size and beauty to its more 
fortunate rival, Trimount, was the ancient Mattapan of' 
26 



302 APPENDIX. 

the Indians, and was regarded with peculiar favor by 
those simple children of the forest, who looked for 
natural beauty, and sweet springs, and sunny slopes, 
rather than flicilities for fortification and advantages for 
commerce. Here, tradition tells us, they loved to live ; 
and here, their numerous relics show, they loved to lie 
when dead. The exact site of Powow Point, so cele- 
brated in Indian tradition, is still known. Jutting 
farther out into the bay than Trimount, and more acces- 
sible from all points of the South shore, it was a favorite 
resort of the natives for the periodical celebration of 
rude religious festivals ; and it may be that their vene- 
ration for the place was increased by their knowledge 
of that curious and bountiful spring of sweet and 
sparkling Avater which comes gushing up from the 
bottom of the sea near the shore. 

But the age passed away, and with it the red race ; 
and Mattapan, that had so kindly yielded to them all 
her favors when alive, could only shelter in her bosom 
the bones of their dead. A new race appeared, and 
were equally welcome to her impartial favor. When 
the first settlers of Boston and Dorchester began to 
possess land beyond their immediate homestead, Matta- 
pan fell to the lot of Dorchester, as more naturally 
belonging to it, and the people thereof used it as a 
pasture for their cattle. It was an island at high water, 
and they had only to build a few rods across the narrow 
neck, and make it a secure enclosure at all times. 

The name of Mattapan was gTadually forgotten ; the 
Pilgrim Fathers began to talk of Dorchester Neck as 
their peculiar property, and to consider that they were 
granting a favor by permitting the poor relics of a peo- 
ple whom they had ''scattered and peeled," to come 
once in the year upon their sad pilgrimage to Powow 
Point. 

But time, that ever contrives to lift justice up, how- 
ever deep she may have been trodden down, rolled 
quietly on, and Boston began to covet this fair pastur- 
age, and a contest arose, and the weaker went to the 



APPENDIX. 303 

wall, and Boston treated the sons of Dorchester as their 
fathers had treated the Indians ; they liad to sigh for 
their lost pasturage, though not as the Indians had 
mourned for Poavow Point ; and finally Dorchester Neck 
became South Boston. May that name be lasting, and 
may it never be that even-handed justice shall call upon 
our children to bestow another and more appropriate 
one. 

The history of this peninsula can hardly be mentioned 
without suggesting to all the occasion when the Father 
of his Country availed himself of its Heights to drive a 
hostile garrison from the town of Boston, and made 
South Boston the means of saving the City. 

The history of South Boston, as part of Boston, 
begins with its final annexation by an Act of the Gene- 
ral Court in 1801-; and with that very act began the 
partial and injudicious policy which has since character- 
ised tiie union. The condition of the annexation was, 
that a bridge should be built, and it was for the manifest 
interest of the newly acquired territory, and for the real 
though then less apparent interest of the whole town, 
that the bridge should be so placed as to give easy 
access to the centre of business. Indeed a company 
had been formed with the view of bililding a bridge 
leading from Sea street to South Boston ; and had it 
then been constructed, the growth of the peninsula 
would have received an immediate impulse. But this 
was a consideration secondary to that of the pecuniary 
interests of some of the land owners of the South end 
of Boston, which required that the bridge should termi- 
nate near the '' Neck lands ; '' and so, instead of being 
built straight in the direction of the travel, it was placed 
at right angles to that direction ; and for twenty-five 
years the inhabitants of South Boston, when they 
wanted to go to State street or to '' town meeting," 
were obliged either to take a boat, and go northward in 
the direction in which the bridge should have run, or 
else to travel westward, in which direction the bridge 
really was, and so to make a right-angled journey. 



304 APPENDIX. 

During all this time the residents of the peninsula 
made many and strenuous efforts to obtain direct and easy 
communication with a town to which they were wedded 
for better or for worse [for better, it seemed, so far as 
regarded the inhabitants of the town ; for worse, as far 
as regarded themselves], but their efforts were defeated 
by those Bostonians whose interests were always pre- 
ferred to those of mere South Bostonians, 

It was not until 1826, that leave was obtained to build 
the new free bridge by which they could go more direct- 
ly to the centre of the town ; nor would it have been 
obtained even then, if the interests of many towns lying 
along the South shore had not called for it. The bridge 
was built in 1828 by the owners of the land in South 
Boston, and by residents there, and by them presented 
to the City ! 

The opening of this communication showed at once 
all the natural advantages and facilities of the western 
part of this peninsula, for in a few years it was covered 
with houses, stores and factories ; and tlie population 
increased six fold in a short time. Equally apparent 
were the good effects upon the parts of the City propei% 
adjacent to the point of junction. The nuisances of Sea 
street disappeared, and upon the marsh of the South 
Cove sprang up, as by magic, streets and bouses. 

But during the twenty-five years in which the ener- 
gies of South Boston had been cramped, and her growth 
stunted, what efforts had to be used, what obstacles to 
be encountered, what defeats sustained, before a mea- 
sure so consistent with sound policy and plain justice 
could be carried ! If any one should now question 
whether the best interests of the whole City, as well as 
of South Boston, had been promoted by this measure, he 
would be considered as insane. Nevertheless, at this 
moment another Avenue to the City, farther east than 
the old ones, begins to be called for by the same sound 
policy and even justice which called for them ; but in 
order to obtain it, the same battles are to be fought, 
the same defeats sustained, and the same delays encoun- 



APPENDIX. 305 

tered, before there will be, what there must finally be' 
— a complete union between the two peninsulas, and 
a disappearance of the Intervening flats. 

Dni-ing the period of twenty-five years which elapsed 
between the opening of the old and new avenue, the 
population of this peninsula went on slowly increasing 
rather in spite of its municipal connection with the dis- 
tant town, than in consequence of it. Indeed the in- 
habitants had little to remind them of their dependence 
upon Boston except the inconvenience arising from the 
want of local authorities to regulate their local affairs, 
and the annual visit of the town officers in the shape of 
assessors of taxes. 

While they were paying their full proportion of taxes 
for widening and paving, and lighting and watching the 
streets of the City proper, their own streets were not 
only uncared for, but they were not even accepted by 
the City. At some seasons they were almost impassa- 
ble on account of the mud ; and they were lighted only 
by the moon and stars at night. Most of what was 
done for them was by voluntary contributions among 
the inhabitants, who in one season paid about fifteen 
hundred dollars for this purpose, in addition to paying 
their proportion for keeping the streets of the City in 
such a pleasing contrast with their own. 

This neglect of the actual condition of the streets was 
not, however, the worst feature of the case ; that only 
made them very bad at the time, but by refusing to 
establish the grades and levels, the City government 
placed an immense obstacle in the way of the growth 
and improvement of the place. Some were afraid to 
build, lest in a few years the street should be dug away 
in front of their house, and leave their door-sill ten feet 
in the air ; or be filled up so as to turn their parlors into 
basements, and bring their chamber windows upon a 
level with the side-walk. Some who did build after ob- 
taining all the information they could, are at this mo- 
ment suffering for their confidence in public fairness. 

Nor is this a matter of past history alone ; at this 
26^ 



306 APPENDIX. 

very day, when South Boston is equal in point of popu- 
lation to the fifth town in Massachusetts, a citizen there- 
of cannot obtain a level upon which to build his house 
with any legal guaranty for its continuance. It is with- 
in our positive knowledge, that citizens of substance 
are at this moment prevented from building houses, by 
the apprehension that in a few years they may be under- 
mined or buried up. 

But it was not alone in respect to streets, that the 
inequality of taxation was felt by the inhabitants of 
South Boston ; they paid their share for the expense of 
common sewers, for removing offal from houses, for the 
police, for the night watch, &c. of the City, without 
any direct benefit therefrom to themselves. It is esti- 
mated that about the period to which we have alluded, 
viz., 1830, the City was really indebted to South Bos- 
ton in the sum of one hundred thousand dollars for taxes 
paid by her, and for which the City has made no return. 

Indeed, the City did not seem inclined to consider the 
tax-payers of South Boston as having equal rights with 
real Bostonians, even in matters that were necessarily 
common. We may mention as one of the many proofs 
of this, that while the masters of the grammar schools 
in the City proper were receiving a salary of twelve 
hundred dollars, it was supposed that the people of 
South Boston could do with a master worth only eight 
hundred dollars, and their teacher was paid only that 
sum during many years. In the year 1828, the gentle- 
man who kept the Hawes school, in South Boston, ap- 
plied for a City school in order to receive a higher sala- 
ry. Our citizens did not wish to lose him, and some of 
the most prominent of them sent in a petition to the 
School Committee, in which they said "we must regard 
his removal from South Boston as a loss not easily to 
be repaired, and we trust that the claims of this section 
of the City will be duly regarded in the case. We are 
confident that equal and even greater labor and respon- 
sibility are attached to the duties of this school, both 
from its relative numbers and its peculiar organization, 



Appmmx, 307 

than the masters of the other schools individually sus- 
tain.'' They also ventured to say that the expenditure 
made b^^ the City government ''for the benefit and con- 
venience of the people of South Boston bears a very small 
proportion to the taxes assessed upon them J ^ They add* 
ed, " we can therefore conceive no sufficient reason 
icliy the master of this school should not be ploMcd upon an 
equal footing ivith the other masters as to compensation J ^ 
They probably learned afterwards that it was because 
the scholars were only children of South Bostonians, 
while the other masters taught the children of real Bos- 
tonians. At any rate, they had to submit to the loss of 
their master. The injustice of the case, however, was 
so palpable, that the City government afterwards grudg- 
ingly raised the salary a little, but in order to keep up 
the distinction between Boston and South Boston 
schools, they fixed it at one thousand dollars. Three 
masters successively served for this inferior compensa- 
tion. One of them, Mr. Walker, was promoted to a 
bona fide City school, and received the full salary, and 
still deserves and enjoys it. Mr. Harrington, the pre- 
decessor of the present grammar master, was the first 
who received a full salary. Now this distinction was 
not only unjust — it was invidious and contemptuous. 
There might have been a show of reason for leaving our 
streets in darkness, or filling our few lamps with oil of 
second quality, but our children had as much capacity 
for, and as much right to the best kind of instruction, 
as the children of the inhabitants of any ward of the 
City. 

We might cite other cases of partiality and injustice 
towards us. But we are not inclined to dwell upon 
this unpleasant part of the history of our union, and 
pass to the period succeeding the opening of the new 
bridge, during which the policy of the City has been 
less illiberal, though still far from impartial towards 
South Boston. 

At the beginning of that period the population of 
South Boston amounted to about twenty-five hundred ; 



308 APPENDIX. 

in a few years it doubled ; in 1840 it reached sixty-one 
hundred and seventy-six ; in 1845 it was ten thousand 
and twenty, having increased 62 per cent, in five years ; 
and at this moment it is doubtless over twelve thousand. 
Nor is this population such as is usually found at the 
outskirts of large cities. It is not the scum thrown out 
from the purer material. The peninsula being separated 
entirely from the City proper by water, and not having 
as yet any, avenue for easy access from its centre to the 
busy marts of commerce, was not sought by those men 
alone who lived from hand to mouth, and wanted only a 
temporary lodging place, but also by a class of intelli- 
gent and respectable persons of narrow means, but inde- 
pendent spirits, who wished to dwell in their own houses, 
and have elbow room about them, and pure air to 
breathe, and a wide prospect to enjoy. There are at 
this time over thirteen hundred dwelling-houses in South 
Boston, and a very large proportion of them are owned 
by their occupants ; a larger proportion, probably, than 
can be found in any other ward of the City. With the 
exception of the part nearest the bridge. South Boston 
indeed looks like a thickly settled town in the interior 
of New England. 

In the whole of the population there is not a single 
colored family, and not so many foreigners as in several 
other wards of the City. The foreigners who reside 
here, are, for the most part, of that better class who will 
not live in cellars, or congregate together closely in or- 
der to keep each other warm. 

Many of our inhabitants have not only their homes, 
but their business, upon the peninsula. The amount 
of capital actually invested in manufacturing establish^ 
ments alone, is estimated at nearly fifteen hundred 
thousand dollars ; which produces annually the fol- 
lowing amount of manufactured articles : 

Iron castings, .... $600,000 



Machinery, 
Chain Cables, 
Glass ware, 
Chemicals and drugs, 



375,000 

90,000 

100,000 

250,000 



APPENDIX. 309 

These employ nearly one thousand workmen. Tlien 
there is sliip-bnilding', and other important branches of 
industry carried on here. 

The official valuation of property for taxation in South 
Boston was, 



in 1845, on Real Estate 3,249,800 

" Personal do. 557,200 



1846 "Real Estate 4,127,100 

'' Personal do. 629,100 



-Total 3,807,000 



4,750,200 

and the valuation for the current year is estimated by 
competent persons at above $5,500,000. 

However, the mere material prosperity of a place is 
no test of its real worth ; and we would lay most stress 
upon what we really believe to be true, that South Bos- 
ton has been sought as a residence by a very respectable 
class of persons, rather in spite of the policy which the 
City government has pursued with regard to the place, 
than in consequence of it. 

When the City found it desirable to annex to its ter- 
ritory a large peninsula, which had, and always will 
have, the capacity for independent existence, sound 
policy as well as justice should have suggested that it 
be treated with the greatest liberality ; that it have at 
least as many advantages as it would otherwise have 
had, and that its citizens should not feel any inequality 
in the distribution of favors and burdens between them- 
selves and the inhabitants of the City proper. 

Such we believe has not been the case with regard to 
the policy of the City of Boston towards South Boston, 
and we think an examination of its history, whether in 
former or later years, will show that our belief is well 
founded. 

[The Memorial here proceeds to point out the great 
disparity between the expenditure upon the streets in 
the City proper and in South Boston ; the neglect of 
the Cit}^ in providing proper fire-engines and apparatus 
for ward twelve ; and lastly, and very fully, treats of 



310 APPENDIX. 

the impolicy of "placing all the pauper and penal insti- 
tutions of the City upon this peninsula." As this latter 
grievance is now in a great measure removed, and as it 
is no object of this work to again bring up, unnecessari- 
ly, old matters of contention between either individuals 
or different portions of the city, a dozen pages of the 
Memorial are here omitted, and the concluding ones are 
given.] 

We have dwelt upon the illiberality and unfairness of 
the policy of the City of Boston towards South Boston ; 
and we have pointed out some instances of it. We have 
said what we firmly believe, that if the policy of the 
past is to be the policy of the future, it will be better 
for the inhabitants of this peninsula to administer their 
own municipal government, since they best understand 
their own wishes and interests. But we have said all 
these things more in sorrow than in anger. We yield 
to none of our fellow citizens in civic patriotism ; we 
are proud of the name of Bostonians ; we desire ever 
to deserve and to bear it ; and we hope and trust that 
the reasonable requests that we may make may be 
granted. These are — 

First. That our streets may be graded, and their 
levels may be officially given at once, so that if a man 
builds his house, and it be afterwards undermined, or 
buried up by public authority, he may claim damages, 
as do those whose land is taken to widen streets in the 
City proper : 

Second. That our principal streets be paved or mac- 
adamized, so that they may be in decent condition for 
travel at all seasons; and that measures be taken to 
remedy the deplorable condition of the sidewalks in 
front of the lands of non-residents : 

Third. That there slmll be expended annually in 
South Boston for paving and lighting streets, for day 
and night police, for schools, and other things of public 
interest, a sum equal in proportion to the taxes paid by 
South Boston into the City treasury for such purposes. 

Fourth. That pure water be introduced into our 



APPENDIX. 311 

streets at the same time and in the same manner as it is 
to be into the City proper. 

These things we think we have a right to ask as mere 
matters of common justice ; and there are others which 
we would ask for considerations of public utility, con- 
venience, ornament and health. 

We might urge even the motive of pecuniary gain, 
for surely if the City means to maintain jurisdiction over 
this peninsula, it should try to render it an eligible resi- 
dence for hundreds of the valuable citizens who are 
every year removing their families to neighboring 
towns. It should strive to hasten the time when it 
shall be fully settled, and to have for settlers substan- 
tial tax-paying citizens. Among the measures which 
will promote all these objects, and which we earnestly 
desire to see adopted without delay, are, — 

First. That one or more public squares be laid out, 
and properly ornamented. 

Second. That the streets be opened through the 
large tract of land now shut up by the city. 

We will not waste time in urging the utility of public 
squares. The history of every populous City that has 
provided them, or neglected to do so, shows this so 
plainly that every school-boy knows it. Now is the 
time to do it in South Boston, or never. The land can 
be had veiy cheap ; perhaps it might be had for less 
than its present market value, because by laying out 
squares, the City would increase the value of the lots 
surrounding them. We are certain that if South Boston 
had an independent municipal government, one of the 
first things would be to provide for Public Squares, and 
to ornament them with trees. 

It would be most agreeable to the inhabitants of South 
Boston, and we are sure that it would eventually be a 
subject of pride and pleasure to every citizen, to have 
one of the hills so well known as Dorchester Heights, 
made use of as one of the reservoirs for the water 
WHICH is to be brought INTO THE CiTY. The watcr would 
not rise quite so high as the top of the western hill, but 



312 APPENDIX. 

a circular reservoir might be constructed around the 
summit, which would -stand in its centre — a beautiful 
islet, and which might be reached by light bridges on the 
four sides. This islet would furnish a most delightful 
walk, from which could be enjoyed an extensive pros- 
pect of almost matchless beautj^ — a complete panorama 
embracing a great variety of natural scenery. If the 
reservoir were encircled by a carriage drive, with foot 
paths on the outside, and the whole hill tastefully orna- 
mented with trees, it would form such a combination of 
natural and artificial beauty as few cities in the world 
can boast. 

It is highly desirable, also, that a square should be 
reserved in the eastern part of the peninsula. We would 
suggest that the site for a Grammar School, which will 
certainly be needed in a few years, should be now se- 
lected and secured while land is cheap. We would 
wish to see one of such dimensions as to give, what 
every school-house should have, but what no one in 
Boston possesses, a large play-ground surrounding the 
building. This would secure for it a free circulation of 
air ; would protect it from the noise and bustle of the 
streets ; and would afford to the pupils a place for ex- 
ercise and recreation, while it would be an ornament 
and an advantage to the whole neighborhood. 

We shall say little about opening the streets through 
the land which the City now keeps enclosed, because it 
is a case which speaks for itself. 

Even if the Institutions are always to remain where 
they are, there is no necessity for the streets being 
stopped. There is no reason for holding sixty acres of 
land as a garden for paupers, when one acre of it would 
sell for enough to buy a whole farm in one of the neigh- 
boring towns. 

The City would not allow a private individual to hold 
a single acre of land, and thereby interrupt even a small 
street, when the public good called for its being opened ; 
and surely it should not itself hold sixty acres, and block 
up six large streets, without a strong and obvious ne- 
cessity for so doing. 



APPENDIX. 313 

Finally, we would respectfully and earnestly ask the 
City authorities who possess the power of exercising 
such an immense influence upon the future condition of 
this peninsula, to consider that the time is at hand when 
its now open fields will be covered with houses — that 
the generation is born which will make it a populous 
town — and to take such measures for promoting the 
prosperity, salubrity and beauty of the place, as in their 
wisdom they may find most expedient. 

Cranston Howe, 
S. G. IIowE, 
Larra Crane, 
D. Nickerson, 
II. Montgomery, 
Sam'l S. Perkins, 
C. J. F. Allen, 
Isaac Adams, 
Seth Adams, 
Joseph Smith. 



J. (Page 22t.) 
An Act to set off a part of the Town of Dorchester 

AND annex the SAME TO THE CiTY OF BoSTON. 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives 
in General CouiH assembled, and by the authointy of the 
same, asfolloivs: — 

Sect. 1. All that territory of the town of Dorchester, 
in the county of Norfolk, which lies north-easterly of a 
line extending from a stake and stones on the head-land 
near the line between the said town of Dorchester and 
the city of Koxbury in said county of Norfolk, north 
fifty-six degrees west across the easterly side of the Old 
Colony Railroad, one hundred and forty feet from the 
centre of a culvert next south of said line, two thousand 
eight hundred and twenty three (2,823) feet to a stake 
and stones on the head-land ; thence in a straight line 
to the centre of the channel of Dorchester Bay, which 
27 



314 APPENDIX. 

is the dividing line between said Dorchester and the 
toAvn of Quinc}^ with all the inhabitants and estates 
therein, is hereby set off from the town of Dorchester 
and annexed to the city of Boston in the county of Suf- 
folk, and shall hereafter be considered and deemed to 
be a part of the city of Boston : jirovided, that the said 
territory and the inhabitants thereon, set off as afore- 
said, shall be holden to pay all such taxes as are already 
assessed or ordered to be assessed by said town of Dor- 
chester, not extending beyond the first day of May 
eighteen hundred and fifty-six, in the same manner as if 
this act had not been passed ; and ^^rouw/e^/, further^ 
that all paupers who have gained a settlement in said 
town of Dorchester by a settlement gained or derived 
within said territory, shall be relieved or supported by 
said city of Boston in the same manner as if they had a 
legal settlement in said city of Boston. 

"Sect. 2. The said inhabitants hereby set off to the 
city of Boston shall continue to be a part of Dorchester 
for the purpose of electing State officers, senators and 
representatives to the general court, representatives to 
congress, and electors of president and vice-president 
of the United States, until the next decennial census 
shall be taken, or until another apportionment of repre- 
sentatives to the general court shall be made ; and it 
shall be the duty of the mayor and aldermen of said city 
of Boston to make a true list of the persons residing on 
the territory hereby annexed thereto, qualified to vote 
at such elections, and post up the same in said territory, 
and correct the same as required by law, and deliver 
the same to the selectmen of said town of Dorchester 
seven days, at least, before any such election ; and the 
same shall be taken and used by the selectmen of Dor- 
chester for such election, in the same manner as if it 
had been prepared by themselves. 

Sect. 3. The mayor and aldermen of the city of Bos- 
ton shall be and hereby are authorized to lay out and 
grade such streets and lanes over the said tract, within 
twelve months from the passage of this act, as in their 



APPENDIX. 315 

judgment the interests of the proprietors of lands in 
said tract and the public convenience may require : pro- 
vided, said proprietors shall relinquish any claim for 
damages or compensation for the land over which said 
streets and lanes are so laid out and graded, within the 
time aforesaid. 

Sect. 4. This act shall take effect from and after its 
passage. 

[Approved by the Governor, May 21, 1855.] 



NEW CENSUS OF VOTERS. 

A census of the voters of Boston has been completed 
since the 20th chapter of this book was printed. It 
was taken, with that of the rest of the State, to form 
the basis of a new apportionment of representatives. 
A table is here given of the number of voters in each 
ward in the city, and also, for comparison, the number of 
the same in 1850 — as prepared for the Evening Tran- 
script. Ward Two now consists of East Boston, and 
Ward Twelve of South Boston (which embraces Wash- 
ington Village). It will be seen that the latter ward has 
more voters than any other in the city. 





1850. 


1857. 


Incr. 


Ward 1 


1511 


1709 


198 


" 2 


1380 


1916 


536 


«« 3 


1487 


1755 


268 


« 4 


1552 


1961 


409 


" 5 


1502 


1907 


405 


« 6 


150G 


2392 


886 


" 7 


1470 


1573 


103 


" 8 


1546 


1828 


282 


•' 9 


1427 


1445 


18 


« 10 


1458 


1766 


308 


«« 11 


1465 


2020 


555 


" 12 


1482 


2187 


705 




17,786 


22,459 


4673 


Washing 


ton vm 


. 219 





22,678 



31G 



The publication of the " History " being delayed 
on account of one of the Portraits being unfinished, an 
opportunity is afforded of noting several recent events 
of public interest. 

A religious society has been organized at Washing- 
ton Village, South Boston, and a chapel built. The lat- 
ter was dedicated in June, 1857. Rev. Edward Squire, 
formerly of the Broadway Unitarian Church, is the 
minister. 

Rev. J. A. Goodhue, late pastor of South Baptist 
Church (see p. 172), resigned in June, 1857. 

Rev. C. S. Porter, late pastor of Phillips Church (see 
p. 167), was dismissed July 8th, 1857. 

Rev. J. L. Blake, D.D. (see p. 160) died at Orange, in 
the State of New Jersey, early in July, 1857, aged 69. 



The name of the fii-ra E. & H. O. Briggs, shii^-builders, is printed 
on page 213 with the accidental omission of one of the initials. 



GENERAL INDEX, 



Adams, Isaac, Printing Press Manufactory .... 206 

Aldermen, from South Boston 234 

Alger, Cyrus, Iron Works 205, 254 

biographical sketch of 251 

funeral of ,,,,..,,. 259 

Alger & Reed's Forge . . , 212 

Alvord, Rev. J. W., Minister of Phillips Church . . 167 

Annals of Dorchester ...... . . 44 

Annexation of Dorchester Neck to Boston . 72, 277, 279, 282 

of Washington Village to Boston , , , . 227, 313 

Banks in South Boston . , 216 

Baptist Church (South), first place of meeting . . . 168 
new meeting-house . . . . . . . .169 

City Point Chapel 182, 203 

Barrett, Samuel, Master in the Hawes School . . . 133 

Battles, Jonathan, Writing Master of Mather School . . 135 

Bay State Iron Company's Works 211 

Bay View 227 

Bear, killed at Dorchester Neck , . . . . ,287 

Bent, Adam, biographical sketch of 261 

Bigelow School, formation of the ...... 133 

building and dedication of the school-house , . . 145 

view of the building •, . 148 

Bird, John H., obituary notice of . , , . 273 

Bird, Jonathan, house of ....... 32 

Bn-ths in South Boston ....,., 232 

Blake, Elder James, builds a house on Dorchester Neck 31, 40, 264 
his death 41 

27-^ 



318 GENERAL INDEX. 

Blake, Deacon James, death of 41 

burning of the house of Deacon James, a descendant . . 66 

Blake, James, the Annalist 42 

his death 45 

Blake, Eev. J. L., Rector of St. Matthew's Chui-ch . 160, 316 

Blake, Samuel, biographical notice of 263 

Blind Asylum, at South Boston 187 

Boston, to-vAai meeting respecting annexation of Dorchester Neck 73 

memorial to Selectmen of 279 

Boston Wharf Co., Bridge built by 104 

Bosworth, Rev. Geo. W., Minister of South Baptist Church 172 

Branch School organized 134 

Brewery, Phipps & Co.'s 216 

Bridge, between Boston and South Boston, first movement for 81, 303 

discussion respecting its location 83 

building of South Bridge authorized, and completion 77, 84, 288 
efforts for a second Bridge, from Wheeler's Point . 84, 89, 304 
disorderly proceedings respecting it ... . 86, 89 

BiU for a Free Bridge passed 94, 292 

North Free Bridge completed 96 

South Bridge purchased by the City . . . . 101 

Old Colony Raihoad Bridge 102 

Evans's Railroad Bridge 102 

Boston & New York Central Raihoad Bridges . . . 103 

Mount Washington Avenue 104 

Bridgman, Laura, some account of 190, 297 

Briggs, E. & H. O., ship building .... 213, 316 

Brinley Block, erection of 78 

British Army, in Boston 45 

evacuates Boston 57, 149 

Broadway, laying out of • . 196 

changes in its level . . . . . , .202 

Broadway Bank 217 

Broadway Railroad Company 226 

Brooks, Noah, sketch of his life 264 

view of his dwelling-house 265 

Burrill, Mrs., School for Young Ladies . , . . 153 

view of the building 153 



GENERAL INDEX. 310 

Cains, Thomas, glass manufactory .... 204,215 

Cannon, manufacture of 255 

Capeu, llev. Lemuel, appointed School iMaster . . .116 

Minister of Hawes Place Church 157 

residence of . 227 

resignation of offices 119, 158 

Causeway in Dorchester 25, 27, 194 

Church and School, distant from the iirst settlers . . 68 

Churches in South Boston 154 

Broadway Unitarian 177 

City Point Chapel 182,203 

Free-will Baptist 180 

Hawes Place Congregational 155, 158 

Methodist Episcopal (Centenary Chapel) . . . . 172 

Payson 179 

Phillips 163, 316 

South Baptist 167,316 

St. Augustine's 161 

St. Matthew's 158 

St. Peter and St. Paul's 178 

Universalist . 176 

City Council, members of, from South Bostoai . . . 235 

City Institutions 223 

City Lands in South Boston .... 203,223,312 

Clinch, Rev. J. H., Rector of St. Matthew's Chui'ch . . 160 

Coney's Foundry 209 

ConoUy, Rev. H. L., Rector of St. Matthew's Chiurch . 160 

Cook, Rev. T. D., Minister of Universalist Chmxh . . 177 

Crafts, Frederick, Teacher of Hawes and Bigelow Schools 133, 1-47 
Cressey, Rev. T. R., [Minister of South Baptist Chvirch . .170 

Damon, Rev. Calvin, Minister of Universalist Church . 177 

Dawes, Rev. Thomas, Minister of Hawes Place Church . . 158 

Dean, Rev. W. W., Minister of Universalist Church . . 177 

Deaths in South Boston 232 

Distinguished Citizens, biograj^hical sketches of — Cjtus Alger 251 

Adam Bent 261 

John H. Bird 273 



320 



GENERAL INDEX. 



Distinguished Citizens, biographical sketches of— Samuel Blake 263 

Noah Brooks 264 

Josiah Dunham . . .271 

Romanus Emerson ........ 275 

Abraham Gould 250 



John Hawes 

Hall J. How 

David Williams >..,».. 

Joseph Woodward 

Dorchester, settlement of 

names of the First Settlers, and distress of 

opposition to Annexation of Neck to Boston 
Dorchester Aveniie Horse Eailroad 
Dorchester Heights, fortification of the 
Dorchester Neck, how regarded by the first Settlers 

division of lands 

lots to be fenced in . ^ . . . 



13, 14, 



238 

. 269 

266 

. 244 

. 9, 13 

19, 27, 29 

74, 277 

225 

. 49 

12, 13, 24 

IS 

. 28 



its annexation to Boston , . . .72, 77, 277, 279, 282 
exposed condition of inhabitants during the Siege of Boston 65 



Drake, Albert, Teacher of Music in the Schools . 
Driver, Kev. Thomas, Minister of South Baj)tist Church 
Drowning of three men at Dorchester Neck 
Duck, wild, nest of at Dorchester Neck 

Duel, fought at the Neck 

Dunbar, Rev. Duncan, Minister of South Baptist Church 
Dunham, Josiah, sketch of the Life of ... 

Dwelling House, first one built on Dorchester Neck 

Noah Brooks's, on Broadway 

other houses in 1776 . 

number of houses in South Boston 

Elegy on the Death of John Foster , . . , 

Elm Trees, near Dorchester Meeting-house 

on Fourth Street ...,.,, 
Emerson, Romanus, notice of . . ... 
England, Dorchester first Settlers depart from 
Execution, public, on Nook Hill 



31 



133 

, 171 

71 

. 288 

70 

. 171 

271 

40, 264 

265 

32, 33 

230 

34, 38 

37 

33, 285 

275 

9 

109 



GENERAL INDEX. 321 

Faircliild, Eev. J. II., Minister of Pliillips Cluu'ch . . 166 

Minister of Puyson Church 179 

Families in South Boston 230 

Field, Barnum, appointed tSchool Teacher . . . .119 

Fire- Alarm Telegraph 237 

Fire Companies in South Boston 217 

Fitzsimmons, Hev. Terrence, St. Augustine's Church . 162 
Foster, Capt. Hopestill, death of 39 

his descendants 40, 286 

Foster -house and Land 31,284 

Foster, James, burning of his house . . . . . 40 

ancient deed of land of 286 

Foster, John, his Death and Epitaph 33 

elegy on ........ . 34, 38 

Foster, Mrs., house burned by the British Soldiers . . 67 

Free-will Baptist Church 180 

names of different Ministers . . . . . . 181 

Fulton IroiT Foundry 207 

Gas Company, in South Boston 219 

Glass Works, first erected in South Boston .... 204 

Cains's 215 

Mt. Washington 215 

Slane's 214 

Globe Locomotive Works 209 

Goodhue, Eev. J. A., Minister of South Baptist Church 172, 316 
Gould, Abraham, brick house built by . . . .79, 285 

extensive tracts of land 251, 284 

real estate of 78, 80 

obituary 250 

Hale, Joseph, Master of Bigelow School . . . .147 

Harrington, Joseph, Jr., chosen Teacher of Hawes School . 124 
Harris, John A., Writing Master in the Hawes School . .133 

Hawes Free Evening School 219 

Hawes, John, approi^riates land for a Chiu'ch . . 154, 295 

death of 157 

biographical sketch of 238 



322 GENERAL INDEX. 

Hawes, John, extracts from the Will of . . . . . 295 
HaAVCS Juvenile Association, Ibrmation of . . . . 125 
names of original members, and exhibitions . . , 130 

Ilawcs Place Congi-egational Society .... 155, 158 

Halves, Ilev. Prince, Minister of Phillips Cluu-ch , . .166 
Hawes School-house, built and opened for use . , . 119 
struck by lightning . . . , . . . .131 

division of school 133, 134 

Heights of Dorchester, Washington's preparations for fortifying 46 

forts erected in one night 49 

fortification of, in the War of 1812 ..... 105 
one of them used as a Park and Ileservou' , , 200, 203 

Hotel, South Boston, built 79 

Golden BaU 80 

Twelfth Ward 79 

Mount Washington 188 

kept by Mr. Healy, on the Poster place .... 285 

How, Hall J., biographical sketch of 269 

Howe, Kev. M. A. DeW., Teacher of Hawes School . . 120 

Idiots, School for, at South Boston ..... 193 

Indians, at Mattapannock . . . . . . 228, 302 

Iron Works, Alger's 205, 254 

Alger & Reed's 212 

Bay State Company's 211 

Coney's 209 

Loring's 210 

LyTuan & Souther's 209 

Thacher's 207 

Wilmarth's 205 

Jackson, E,ev. William, preacher at South Boston .. . 171,180 

Land, price of, on Dorchester Neck, and in South Boston 28, 231 
extensive tracts owned by individuals .... 251,284 

LawTcnce, Amos, fiti'st interested in the South Boston Schools 127 
letter to members of the Lawrence Association . . .138 
4eath and funeral of his son ^ . . . . . 139 



GENERAL INDEX. 



i23 



136, 



LawTence, Amos, presents to the Lawrence Association . 143 

death and funeral of 143 

Lawrence, Amos A., prizes for essays . 

Lawi-ence xVssociatiou formed 

Lawrence enclosure, at ISIt. Aubui-n, view of the 

Lawrence School 

view of the School-house 

Lincoln, Jaiius, appointed School Teacher 
Lippitt, l\ev. G. AV., ]Minister of Hawes Place Society 
Little Neck, name changed to Washington Village . 
Loring, Harrison, Engine Manufactory 

Lyceum Hall 

Lyman & Souther, Globe Locomotive Works 

Lynch, Rev. T. and M., Ministers of St. Augustine's Chiu-ch 

Lyndon, Rev. P. F., Minister of St. Peter & St. Paul 



Mahoney, Rev. John, of St. Augustine's Church 

Manufactories 

Market Place, lot set apart for a . . . 
^Masonic Lodges in South Boston 
Massachusetts School for Idiots 
Mather, Rev. Richard, arrival of, at Dorchester 
Mather School organized, and School-house built 

name changed to Lawrence School . 
Mattapan, settled and called Dorchester 
Mattapan Literary Association, organization of 

names of original members 

list of Presidents 

Mattapannock, as a Pastm-e for Dorchester cattle 

called Dorchester Neck .... 

division of 

Mechanics Bank 

Memorial, from citizens of South Boston 
Methodist Episcopal Church 

building of Centenary Chapel 

names of Ministers 

Military Company 

Mount Washington Female Institute . 



12 



Church 



145 
137 
140 

148 
148 
119 
1-58 
226 
210 
223 
209 
162 
178 



13, 



. 162 

204, 308 

. 204 

223 

193 

17 

134, 135 

136 

9, 12 

182 

183 

186 

24, 25, 26 

12 

18 

216 

300 

172 

175 

176 

217 

153 



324 



GENERAL INDEX. 



Municij^al Organization . 

Music, fii'st tau"ht in HaAA'CS School 



233 
132 



Neale, Ilev. R. II., :Minister of South Baptist Church . . 170 

Newspapers in South Boston 217 

Nook Lane, situation of ....... . 286 

Nook's Hill, fortification of 54, 56 

removal of 203 



Odd Fellows' Lodge 

Omnibuses in South Boston ...» 

Page, William P., chosen Teacher of Hawes School 
Pasture, Dorchester Neck used for a 

land for, retained by the Town of Dorchester . 
Patton, Rev. W. W., Minister of Phillips Church 
Payson Chmxh, organization of . 
Perkins Institution for the Blind 
Phillips Church Society, organization of and place of 
Pierce, Rev. T. C, fii'st Mhiister in South Boston 
Police Department ...... 

Popuktion of Dorchester Neck and South Boston 
Porter, Rev. Charles S., ^Minister of Phillips Chiirch 
Powow Point . . . fc^ . 

Primary Schools ..... 

Proprietors of Dorchester Neck, meeting of 
Pulaski Guards, the 



Railroad, Old Colony, station at South Boston 
Boston and New York Central, bridges 
Broadway, Horse .... 

Dorchester Avenue, Horse 

Real Estate, rise in value of . . . 

Reservoir, for the Cochituate water 

Roxbury Canal, digging of the 

Schools, public, and School-houses 
private School at South Boston 



223 
. 224, 227 

120 

13, 18, 24, 25 

6S 

. 167 

179 

. 187 

worship 163^ 

. 154, 172 

237 

. 229, 307 

167, 316 

. 228 

150 

. 29 

217 



. 102 
103 

. 226 

225' 

231, 232 

218, 311 

. 70 

111, 306 
. Ill 



GENERAL INDEX. 325 

Schools — petition for a public School 112 

first public one established 113 

description of the first Schools and School-houses . 114, 118 

Bigelow 133, U5, 148 

Hawes 119, 131, 133, 134 

Halves Free Evening 219 

Lawrence 136, 148 

Mather 134, 135, 136 

!Mt. Washington Female Institute 153 

Primai-y Schools 150 

Samaritan Society 221 

Sewers, public, in the streets ....... 200 

Shackford, Rev. C. S., Minister of Hawes Place Society . 158 

Shade Tree Society 220 

Shepard, Isaac F., Teacher in the Mather School . . 135 

Ship, first launched in Dorchester , . , . . .25 

Ship-building in South Boston 212, 265 

Slane, P. F., Flint Glass Works 214 

Small-pox, in Boston and vicinity 69 

hospital at Dorchester Neck 69 

South Boston, the name Dorchester Neck changed to . .77 
Southard, D. A., death and funeral of .... 142 

Spinney, Samuel R., residence of 227 

Square, public, proposed laying out of ... 204, 311 

Squhe, Rev. Edward, Broadway Unitarian Church . 178, 316 

Stearns, Josiah A., Grammar ^Master of ISIather School . 135 

Principal of Lawrence School 150 

Streets of South Boston .... 194, 305, 310, 314 

laid out by the Selectmen of Boston 195 

new survey ordered . . . . . . . 199 

paving of the principal ones, and alteration in the grades 201, 202 

St. Augustine's Church, buildmg of 161 

St. Matthew's Church, incorporation of and place of worship 158 
St. Peter and St. Paul, Church of 178 

Taxes in South Boston 78, 232, 306 

Tea, from British ships, gathered on the shore at the Neck 66, 285 
Thacher, George C. and Thomas, Iron Foundry . . . 207 

28 



326 GENERAL INDEX. 

Thomas, Rev. Moses G., Minister Broadway Unitarian Church 177 

Tillson, John, Dedicatory Hymn by l-i6 

Trees, two ancient ones on Fourth Street . . .33, 285 

at the Neck 68, 287 

Shade Tree Society 220 

Tudor, William, and others, petition for annexation . . 72 

Turnpike, Dorchester and Milton 88 

Union Iron Works 205 

Unitarian (Broadway) Society, organization of ... 177 

Universalist Church, place of worship, and Minister . . 176 

Valuation of Real Estate in 1804 78 

forty years later 232, 309 

Vital Statistics 232 

Voters, number of, in South Boston, and w^hole city . 230, 315 

Walker, Moses W., Teacher of Hawes School . . .120 

his account of a disturbance in the School . . . 121 

War of 1812, troops stationed in South Boston . . . 106 

W'ard Twelve, limits of 233 

Warren Association line of Omnibuses 224 

Washington, General, his military operations near Boston . 46 

address to, by Selectmen of Boston, and his reply . 59, 60 

vote of thanks to, by Congress, and his answer . . 61, 62 
medal presented to him by Congress .... 63 

AVashington Village 226,316 

annexed to South Boston 227, 313 

Water, supply of to the citizens 218,311 

Whittemore, Rev. Benj., first Minister of Universalist Church 176 

Williams, David, biographical notice of 266 

W^ii-e Works, Washburn's 212 

AViswall, Oliver, house of 32 

Wolcott, Governor, Poem by 10 

Wood, Zephaniah, Minister and School Teacher . 116, 154, 174 

his death 156 

W^oodward, Josej)h, efforts iji favor of annexation and a bridge 72, 89 
biograi^hical sketch of 244 



INDEX TO NAMES. 



Adams, George 231 

Adams, l3aac,206, 220, 313 
Adams, John 61, 249 

Adams, Samuel 288 

Adams, Seth, 206,217, 236, 
313 
Adams, Mrs. John 54 

Alexander, Henry W. 131 
Alger,Cyrus, 205, 207, 208, 
234, 235, 251 
Alger, Cyrus, Jr. 212 

Alger, Francis,212, 219,251 
Allen, C. J. V. 220, 313 
Allen, C. J. F., Jr. 139,149 
Allen, W. W. 285 

Alvord, Rev. John W. 167 
Amee, Col. J. L. C. 217, 
235 
Anderson, Joseph R. 209 
Andrew, John 4 

Andrews, Thomas 19 

Andrews, Wm. T. 219 

Apollonio, N. A. 232 

Apthorp, John T. 98 

Atherton, Maj. Gen. H. 

19, 29, 287 
Avery, John 292 

Badlam, Steph. 74, 197, 279 
Bailey, D. W. 236 

Baker, Judah, Jr. 183 

Baker, Lewis F. 130 

Baker, Richard 27 

Baker, widow 27 

Baldwin, Loammi 97 

Baldwin, Rev. Dr. 173 
Ball, Rev. Harvey 169 
Ball, Rufus 165 

Barker, W. R. 184 

Barrett, Samuel 133 

Batchelder, Miss Ruth 41 
Bates, James 19 

Batten, widow 27 

Battles, Jonathan, 134,135, 
136 



Baxter, Edward W. 75, 279 
Bean, Jedediah P. 236 

Bedlington, Sam'l M. 130 
Bellingham, Mr. 19 

Benham, John 19 

Bent, Adam, 113, 234, 235, 

261 
Bent^ Ebenezer 261 

Bent, William 261 

Bickford, Mr. 237 

Bigelow, John P. 145, 147, 

218 
Billings, William G. 207 
Binney, Joseph S. 130 

Bird, Abiel 29 

Bird, Benjamin, 29. 30, 238 
Bird, Elijah 78 

Bird, Ezekiel 78 

Bird, Jacob 78 

Bird, John IL 2-73 

Bird, Jonathan 69 

Bird, Jonathan, 3d 78 

Bird, Samuel 78 

Bird, Thomas 29 

Bird, Thomas, 78, 239, 282 
Bird, Mr. 32' 

Blackman, John 27, 29 
Blake, Agnes 40 

Blake, George P. 220 

Blake, John 27, 264 

Blake, John H. 219 

Blake, Elder James, 27,31, 
40, 41, 264 
Blake, Dea. Jas. 29, 30, 41 
Blake, James, the Anna- 
list, 42, 43, 44, 45 
Blake, James 33, 66, 67, 

78 
Blake, Rev. J. L. 160, 316 
Blake, Mrs. Ruth 45 

Blake, Samuel 31, 263 
Blake, Sukey Foster 261 
Blake, William, 19, 40, 264 
Blake, widow 29 

Blake, Mrs. 71 



Blanchard, Albert H. 130 
Blanchard, J. W., Jr. 183, 
184 
Blood, Samuel D. 224 

Bosworth, Rev. Geo. W. 

172, 182 
Boutwell, Geo. S. 149 

Bowles, Stephen B. 184 
Boyle, Rev. Isaac 160 

Boylston, Dr. Zabdiel 69 
Brabiner, William A. 184 
Brackett, Rev. Josish 175 
Brainard, Edw. H. 216,236 
Bridgmau, Laura 190, 297 
Briggs, E. & II. 0. 213,316 
Briggs, Mrs. 19 

Brooks, Gov. John 155 
Brooks, Lydia S. 134 

Brooks, Noah 119, 212, 
213, 235, 264 
Brown, Asa 235 

Brown, Edward 286 

Brown, Elizabeth, 136, 286 
Brown, Dea. 248 

Bruce, Lyman G. 130 

Bryant, G. J. F. 178 

Bull, Rev. W. 160 

Bullock, Edward 19 

Burr ill, John 130 

Burrill, Mrs. Maria 153 
Butler, Nicholas 19 

Cains, Thomas 204, 205, 
215 
Capen, B. 130 

Capen, Bernard 19 

Capen, Hopestill 29 

Capen, John 19, 288 

Capen, John, Jr. 27 

Capen, Joseph 39 

Capen, Rev. Lemuel, 4,116, 
119,157,158,227,228,238 
Capen, Preserved 27, 29, 
288 
Capen, Samuel 29' 



328 



INDEX TO NAMES. 



Capen, Samuel, Jr. 29 
Capen, Dea. 27 

Champney, John 78, 282 
Chauncy, Rev. Dr. 245, 
246, 250 
Cheverus, Rt. Rev. 

Bishop 161 

Chitteiidon, Samuel 96 
Christian, Abby 45 

Clap, Ebenezer 29 

Clap, Ebenezer, Jr. 282 
Clap, Edward 19 

Clap, Elisha 239 

Clap, Ezra 27 

Clap, Jason 78 

Clap, Jonathan 29 

Clap, Lemuel 78 

Clap, Mary 78 

Clap, Nathaniel 27 

Clap, Nicholas 19, 27 

Clap, Noah 43 

Clap, Roger 12, 14, 15, 
19,27 
Clap, Samuel 27, 29, 30 
Clap, Mrs. Sarah 239 

Clap, William 29 

Clap, widow 27 

Clapp, F. H. 139 

Clapp, Deacon John 288 
Clapp, Capt. William 227 
Clark, Rev. Rufus W. 149 
Clarke, William 27 

Clement, Augustin 19, 27 
Clinch, Rev. Joseph H. 160 
Cobb, David 292 

Cobb, Samuel 78 

Cobb, Sewall C. 186 

Codman, Rev. John 173 
Colburn, Willis H. 130, 183 
Cole, Benjamin E. 184 
Cole, Miss 152 

CoUicot, Richard 19 

Collier, Rev. Mr. 109, 110 
CoUyer, Rev. J. I. P. 176 
Coney, Jabez 208, 209, 
236 
Conley, C. C. 236 

Conolly, Rev. H. L. 160 
Converse, J. W. 217 

Cook, Rev. Edward 176 
Cook, Rev. Theo. D. 177 
Corlew, B. E. 184 

Cotting, Mr. 159 

Cowdin, Jeptha R. 237 
Crafts, Frederick 133, 147 
Crafts, John W. 236 

Crane, Horatio N. 235 
Crane, J. H. 183 

Crane, Larra 234, 313 

Crane, Lemuel 75, 279 
Crane, Samuel D. 236 

Crehore, Benjamin 261 



Cressey, Rev. T. R. 170 
Crooker, Ralph 211 

Crosby, Elkanah C. 130 
Crosby, Sumner 236 

Crowlev, Mr. 237 

Curtis, Daniel B. 183, 184, 
186 

Dahlgreen, Com. J. A. 260 
Dall, Mr. 151 

Dalton, John 109,110 

Dame, A. A. 96 

Damon, Rev. Calvin 177 
Darracott, Franklin 219 
Dartmouth, Lord 51 

Davenport, Edward J. 219 
Dawes, Rev. Thomas 158 
Day, M. E. 130 

Dean, Rev. W. W. 177 
Deeble, Robert 19 

Degen, Rev. H. V. 176 
Deluce, John 78, 112, 113 
Deluce, Mr. 32, 173 

Demerest, Samuel C. 236 
Dexter,Charles W. 130,184 
Dexter, Geo. S. 183, 184, 

186, 2436 
Dewire, Kaunab 165 

Dickerman, Thomas 19 
Dimmock, Thomas 19 

Dix & Brinley 204 

Dodge, Ephraim 224 

Dodge, William B, 207 
Dorr, William B. 235 

Drake, Albert 133 

Drake, Henry A. 183, 184, 
186 
Drake, Jeremy 219, 235 
Driver, Rev. Thos. 169,171 
Dunbar, Rev. Duncan 171 
Duncan, Nathaniel 19 

Dunham, Josiah 234, 235, 
271 
Dunham, Josiah, Jr. 220, 

234, 235 
Dunham, Rev. Z. B. C. 176 
Duvivier, M. 63 

Dwight, Rev. S. E. 165 
Dyer, George 19, 27 

Eaton, William 236 

Edson, Rev. Theodore 160 
Eelles, John 19 

Eliot, John 29 

Emerson, Rev. Brown 275 
Emerson, Rev. Noah 275 
Emerson, Rev.Reuben 275 
Emerson, Romanus 235, 
275 
Eustis, Gov. 268 

Evans, William 102 

Everett, Ebenezer, 295,296 



Everett, Moses 74, 78 

Everett, Mr. 118 

Everson, G. IL 207 

Fairchild, Rev. Joy 11. 166, 
179 
Fan-child, Wm, B. 130, 136 
Farnsworth, Joseph, 19,27 
Farrington, John, 2d 78 
FarriugtoD, Mr. 32 

Faxon, Richard 130 

Fenn, Benjamin 19 

Fenno, Abigail 165 

Fenwick, Bishop 162 

Field, Barnum 119 

Fisk, S. C. & G. 285 

Fiske, William 29& 

Fitzsimmons, Rev. T. 162 
Fletcher, Henry AY. 235 
Flood, Joseph 19 

Floyd, Lucy 134 

Foster, Benjamin 251 

Foster, Elizabeth 2S7 

Foster, Hopestill 27, 33, 
3-9, 250, 286 
Foster, Jn,raes, 39, 40, 250, 
286, 287 
Foster, John, S3, 34, 36, 38^ 
39 
Foster, Mary 250 

Foster, Samuel 286 

Foster, Standfast 37, 288 
Foster, Susannah 250 

Foster, Mva. 19, 31, 39, 
65, 66, 67 
Foster, Lieut. 29, 30 

Fox, Rev. Thos. B. 149 
Frothingham, Rich'd, Jr. 

149 
Fuller, S. P. 198, 199 

Fuller, Sumner 166 

Gannett, Rev. E. S., D.D. 

178, 259 
Gardner, Henry 295, 296, 

297 
Garland, Rev. G. D. 181 
Gibson, Christopher 19 
Gilbert, John 19 

Gill, Caleb 220 

Gipson, Jonas C. 225 

Glover, John 19, 29 

Glover, Theodore R. 130 
Glover, W. W. W. 130 
Glover, Mr. 26 

Goddard, Mr. 49 

Goodenow, Elisha 222 

Goodhue, Rev.J.A. 172,316 
Goodhue, Stephen W. 183, 

184 
Goodridge, Rebecca A. 131 
Goodridge, Samuel 216 



INDEX TO NAMES. 



32^ 



Gordon 56 

Gore, Jeremiah 78 

Gorhum, Hon. Mr, 91 

Gould,Al)raham, 78, 79, 80, 

112, 159, 247, 250, 284, 

286 

Gray, John 78 

Gray, llev .Dr. 157 

Grecle, Samuel 149 

Greene, Gardiner 72, 98, 

197, 247, 278, 281, 288 

Greenleaf, Hon. Thos. 246 

Greenway, Johq , 19 

Gridley e^w/'i^^^'JSO 

Griswold"^ Rt. Rev. A. V. 

159, 160 

Hale, Joseph- 147 

Hall, Daniel 236 

Hall, Samuel 58 

Hammond, Horace 225 
Hammond, Thos. 156,165 
Hancock, John 62, 63 

Harding, William B. 235 
Harlow, Ezra 236 

Harrington, Joseph, Jr. 

124, 125, 129, 130, 132 
Harrington, Leonard 121, 

123 
Harrington, Rufus 78 

Harrington, Mr. 32, 33 
Harris, John Alex. 130,133 
Harris, Joseph, Jr. 235 
Harris, Rev. Thad. M. 

72, 154, 155, 156, 157 
Hartshorn, Oliver 78 

Hatch, Thomas 19 

Hathorne, William 19 

Hawes, John, 154, 156,157, 
158, 238, 272, 295 
Hawes, Obadiah 27 

Hawes, Rev. Prince 164, 

166 
Hawes, Richard 19 

Hawkins, Mr. 19 

Hayden, John 19 

Haynes, Edw. W. 130 

Hayward, Hbenezer 235 
Healy, Mr. 285 

Hedge, Frank 4 

Herrick, Jacob 165, 237 
Hewins, Abel 113, 166 

Hewins, Anna 165 

Higginson, Stephen 78 
Hildreth, J. W. 183 

Hill, John 19 

Hill, Samuel 220 

Hill, Mrs. Samuel 221 

Hoar, Thomas 130 

Holden, Phineas 69 

HoUis, Pha3be 166 

Holman, John 19 



Holmes, Ebenezer 29 

Holmes, Mr. 79 

Ilomans, John 48 

Homer, Cieo. J. 164 

Homes, Henry 164 

Hopkins, Stephen 61 

How, Calvin ¥. 130 

How, Hall J. 269 

How, Dr. James 269 

Howard, Charlotte 166 
Howard, Wm. H. 235, 254 
Howard, Mr. 27 

Howe, Crau2ton 313 

Howe, John 75, 76 

Howe, Rev. M. A. De W. 

120, 160 

Howe, Samuel G. 187, 190, 

193, 297, 313 

Howe, Gen. 46, 50, 51, 52, 

53, 54, 57, 64, 194, 202 

Howes, WiUis 235 

Hubbard, Samuel 97 

Hull, John 19 

Humphreys, Jonas 19 

Humphries, James, 78,295, 

296, 297 

Ilunnewell, Jonathan 198 

Hunting, Mr. 80 

Huntington, Rev. Prof. 259 

Hutchinson, Mr. 19 

Jackson, Eben 234, 235 
Jackson, Rev.Wilham,171, 

180, 181 
James, Benjamin 234, 236 
Jarves & Cormerais 215 
Jay, John 61, 249 

Jenkins, Joshua 217, 220, 

227, 236 
Jenkins, Rowland E. 130 
Jenkins, Solon 235 

Jenkins, Wm. E. 130 

Jenks, Samuel H. Jr. 184 
Jenney, Francis H. 136, 
183 
Jenney, N. S. 139 

Johnson, Joseph 165 

Johnson, Joseph B. 130 
Johnson, Mr. 132 

Johnston, William 215 
Jones, Ebenezer 31 

Jones, Edward 219 

Jones, Isaac 27, 236 

Jones, Richard 24 

Jones,Thomas, 24, 234, 236 
Jones, T. K. 246 

Jones, Mr. 27 

Josselyn, F. M., Jr. 236 
Joy, Mr. 245 



Kendall, Mr. 
Kent, Samuel 



91 
264, 265 



Kinnersley, Thos. 24 

Kinsley, John 24 

Kuight, John 24 

Lake, Thomas 27 

Lambert, Thomas 24 

Lane, 'William 24 

Lawrence, Abbott 265' 

Lawrence, Amos, 137, 139, 
143, 145, 149 
Lawrence, Amos A. 14.5 
Lawrence, R. M. 139, 141 
Lee, George 189 

Leeds,Samuel, 220, 221,235 
Leeds, Thomas 78 

Leonard, Rev. Mr. 58 

Lincoln, Ensign 108 

Lincoln, Jairus 119, 120 
Lincoln & Wheelwright 

264 
Lippitt, Rev. G. W. 158 
Littlefiekl, Rev. W. H. 181 
Loring, Charles H. 183,184 
Loriug, Harrison 210, 211 
Loring, Israel 7S 

Loring, Sarah A. 136 

Lowell, John 70 

Lucas, Benjamin 16& 

Ludlow, Mr. 13 

Lyman & Souther 209 

Lynch, Rev. T. & M. 162 
Lyndon, Rev. P. F. 179 

Madison, James 104 

Magee, James 268 

Maguire, Francis 285 

Mahoney,. Rev. John 162 
Makepeace, Thomas 24 
Malcom, Rev. Howard 

169, 170 
Mann, Nehemiah P. 235 
Mann, Nehemiah P. Jr. 

130, 184 
Mannings^ widow 27 

Marshall, Moses 78 

Marshall, Mr. 32 

Martin, Mr. 24 

Mason, Henry 236 

Mason, Jonathan 72, 247, 
248, 254, 288 
Mason, Lowell 132, 188 
Mather, Rev. Richai-d 17, 
18, 24, 25, 135 
Mathei-, Timothy 27 

Maverick, Rev.John, 9, 13, 
18 
McCarthy, William 130 
McDonald, Mrs. 193 

McNeil, Capt. 106 

Mead, Charles 176 

Merrill, Rev. J. W. 176 
Miller, Alexander 24 



S30 



INDEX TO NAMES. 



Miller, John 2-i 

Miller, Dr. 269 

Miller, Mr. 71 

Millet, Thomas 24 

Minot, Georce 24 

Monks, John P. 183, 220 
Monks, "William J. 184 
Montgomery, H. 313 

Moody, Ehizir 287 

Moore, James 130 

Moore, John 24 

Morgan, Cliarles 181 

Moseley, Thomas 68, 75, 
279 
Mosely, John 27 

Muilge, Rev. James 176 
Munulugs, Edward 24 

Munroe, Thomas 78 

Murphy, Mr. 79, 80 

Nash, Mary 286 

Nash, Timothy 286 

Naylor & Co. 212 

Neale, Rev. R. H. 170 

Newbm-y, Thomas 24 

Newcombs, Messrs. 96 

Newman, Henry 78 
Nickerson, David 130, 313 

Nickerson, Frederick 220 

Nickerson, F. A. 183 

Niles, John 24 

Norton, Rev. Mr. 156 

Noyes, George N. 236 

Noyes, Nicholas 235 

Oldham, John 12 

Oliver, Francis J. 91, 98 
Ornej Judge 91 

Osborn, David W. 130 

Otis, Harrison Gray 72, 
76, 247, 248, 288, 291 

Page, George 235 

Page, William P. 120 

Parker, James 24 

Parker, R. G. 159 

Patten, Mr. 27 

Patton, Rev. Wm. W. 167 
Patton, Rev. Dr. 167 

Payson, Samuel 78 

Pearson, Ephraim 29 

Percy, Earl 51 

Perkins, S. S. 234, 236, 313 
Perkms, Thomas H. 188, 
189, 253 
Philbrick, John D. 149 
Phillips, John 24, 166 

Phillips, Willard 97 

Phipps, James L. & Co.216 
Pickering, D. N. 210 

Pierce, Franklin 143 

Pierce, John 24 



Pierce, Robert 24 

Pierce, Rev. Thomas 154, 

163, 172, 173, 174 

Pierpont, Rev. John 119, 

157 
Pike, James 71 

Pitcher, Andrew 24 

Pool, Rev. G. F. 176 

Poole, Maxwell 130 

Pope, Benjamin 183, 184, 

186 
Pope, John 24 

Pope, John B. 130 

Porter, Rev. Chas. S., 149, 
167, 316 
Porter, Rev. James 176 
Porter, Rev. Dr. 155, 156, 

157 
Porter, Gen. 108 

Pratt, Mr. 65 

Preston, William 24 

Price, Daniel 24 

Price, Rev. I. H. 160 

Price, Rev. Dr. 246 

Proctor, George 24 

Proctor, John 236 

Purchase, widow 24 

Quincy, Hon. Josiah 149 

Rand, Mr. 71 

Read, William 24 

Reed, Caleb 254 

Reed, Edward 212 
Reed, John 47, 70 

Reed, John H. 211 

Reed, Rev. R. W. 181 

Rice, Alexander II. 149 

Richards, Thomas 24 

Richardson, Jeffrey 271 

Richardson, Thomas 234 

Richmond, Rev. Dr. 157 

Rigby, Joseph 24 

Robbins, Edward 78 

Robbins, Rev. S. 181 

Robinson, Maj. James 75 

Robinson, James, Jr. 279 

Robinson, Mrs. 172 

Rogers, E. H. 130 

Rogers, James B. 130 

Ross, Mr. 79 

Rossiter, M?; 13 

Russell.^ Benjamin 85 

Russell, James D. 184, 237 

Russell, Luther 215 

Samford, Thomas 24 

Savage, James 152 

Savage, Rev. J. A. 176 

Searle, Rev. Addison 159 

Sears, Barnas 145 

Sension, Matthew 24 



Seward, Richard ISO 

Shackford, Rev. C. C. 158 
Shattuck, Lemuel 230 

Sherman, Rev.David 176 
Sherman, Edwin A. 130 
Shepard, Isaac F. 135 

Shores, A. 39 

Simonds, Alvan, 4, 216, 236 
Simonds, Joseph H. 4 

Simonds, Mary B. 165- 

Slane, P. F. 214, 215 

Sloan, Samuel W. 236 

Smed, widow 24 

Smith, George 237 

Smith, Horace 186 

Smith, John 24 

Smith, Joseph 236, 313 
Smith, Lewis 220 

Smithy widow 27 

Southard, D. A. 139,142 
Southard, Zibeon 236 

Southcoat, Capt. 12, 13 
Souther, John 210 

Spear, Aaron 78 

Spear, Lemuel 78 

Spiller, Ober 130 

Spinney, Samuel R. 220, 

227, 236 
Sprague, Matthew, Jr. 184 
Squeb, Capt. 9, 13 

Squire, Rev. Edw. 178, 316 
Stearns, Josiah A. 135,136, 

139, 150 
Stebbins, John Bliss 235 
Stetson, Alpheus 235 

Stevens, Rev. Abel 175 
Stevens, Geo. A. 130 

Stevens, Ingolls & Co. 216 
Stevens, Seriah 235 

Stoughton, Mr. 24 

Stoughton, Mrs. 27 

Stover, Theophilus 236 
Strong, Gov. 84, 105, 292 
Sumner, Increase 70 

Sumner, Wm. 24, 27, 50 
Swift, Obadiah 27, 29 

Swift, Thomas 24 

Sylvester, P. A. 216 

Tailer, Col. 29 

Taylor, Robert 237 

Taylor, Rev. E. T. 174, 175 
Temple, James 78 

Thacher, Benjamin 130 
Thacher, Geo. C. 207, 208, 

254 
Thacher, Geo. T. 130 

Thacher, Irene S. 131 

Thacher, Thomas 207 

Thacher, Wm. S. 131, 183, 

236 
Thayer, Benjamin 184 



INDEX TO NAMES. 



;3l 



Thayer, Catherine 150 
Thayer, Rev. Mr. 161 

Thorn, Isaac, 156, 165, 235 
Thorn, Sophia 165 

Thomas, John 228 

Thomas, llev. Moses G. 

177, 178 
Thomas, Gen. 49, 219 

Thurston, Caleb 235 

Tileston, Onisepherus 78 
Tileston, Thomas 37 

Tillson, Jolm 145, 235 

'J'dhiian, Ebenezer 75, 279 
ToplilTe, Elder 29 

Towusfncl, A. 91 

Tucker, llev. T. W. 173 
Tudor, William, 72, 75, 76, 
78, 82, 247, 277, 278, 281, 
288 
Tully, Samuel 109, 110 
Tuttle, Rev. E. 182 



Upsall, Nicholas 



24 



Vincent, Jane 246 

Vinson, Thomas M. 235 

Wade, Richard 24 

Wadsworth, Alexander 199 
Wales, Eben'r 74, 76, 279 
Wales, Jerijah 29 

Wales, Nathaniel 24 

Wales, Thomas B. 219 
Walker, Moses W. 120, 
121, 123, 124, 307 



Walton, Nancy P. 136 

Ward, Gen. 55, 57 

Wareham, Rev. John 9, 
10, 13, 18 
Washburn, Henry S. 212 
Washington, George, 46-04 
Way, George 24 

Weelis, Anuiel 27 

■\Veeks, George 24 

Weeks, Joseph 29 

Wells, Rev. E. M. P. 160 
Wells, William B. 131 

Wheelwright, l.ot 90, 212 
W^histon, John W. 130 
Wliitcomb, Jolni 24 

White, Edward 24 

White, H. II. 217 

White, James 27 

White, Luther L. 186 

Wliitfleld, Mr. 24 

Whitman, Rev. J. 176 

Whitman, Mr. 24 

Whitney, Moses 71 

Whitney, Rev. Mr. 157 
W^hiton, E. J. 183 

Whiton, Lewis C. 236 

Whittemore, Rev. B. 176 
Whittemore, James F. 236 
Wilder, Dr. Chas. W. 248 
Williams, David 78, 266 
Williams, David, Jr. 71 
Williams, Ebenezer 27 
Williams, John 267, 269 
AVilliams, Thomas 70 

Williams, Thomas, Jr. 70 



Wilkins, Bray 24 

Wilks, Bro. 26 

Wilmarth, Seth 206 

Wing, Rev. Otis 169 

Wiiislow, Gen. 252, 253 
Winthrop, Adam, 27, 29, SO 
Winthrop, Elizabeth B. 159 
Wisner, Rev. B. B. 165 
Wiswall, Enoch 27 

Wiswall, John 33 

Wiswall, Oliver, Capt., 29, 
30, 32, 284 
Wiswall, Thomas 24 

Wiswall, Deacon 27 

Withington, Mather 195, 
198, 199 
Withington, Richard 27, 
29 
Withington, Samuel 75, 
279 
Withington, Mr. 24 

Wolcott, Roger 9 

Wolcott, Gov. 9 

Wood, Zephaniah, 116,154, 
155, 156, 157, 163, 174 
Woodwai-d, Ann V. 273 
Woodward, Daniel 245 
Woodward, Joseph, 72, 78, 
89, 112, 117, 118, 
244, 273, 274 
Wright, Albert J. 217 

Wright, Henry 24 

Wright, James 235 

Wi-ight, Richard 24 

Wright, William 96, 235 



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